Quantification of scan-specific ergonomic risk-factors in medical sonography

Medical sonographers are known to be at an increased risk of developing occupationally related musculoskeletal pain or injury. However, scan-specific, on-site ergonomic job evaluations which also include a quantitative analysis of upper extremity joint biomechanics are not the norm. The objective of the study is to identify and quantify scan-specific risk-factors for upper extremity work-related musculoskeletal pain in sonography. Seven subjects participated in the study which used a combination of self-reported and measured job analyses to specifically address risk-factors related to diagnostic medical sonography. 86% of sonographers reported upper extremity musculoskeletal pain. Ergonomic evaluation revealed that changes should be made soon. Shoulder abduction and wrist deviation angles were quantified and found to be greater than previously published acceptable limits.Relevance to IndustryAlthough all the investigated scans involve injury risk, the specific risk-factors and their relative importance varies between scan types. The scan-specific risk-factors must be considered when determining the risk of musculoskeletal pain and in designing interventions to prevent or reduce the incidence of injury among sonographers.