title: Contribution of positioning to work-related musculoskeletal discomfort in diagnostic medical sonographers.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Musculoskeletal pain and discomfort due to work exposure is experienced by 90% of sonographers. Survey research has provided a wealth of information to document this problem, but few studies have attempted to directly measure and identify the source of these disorders.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This pilot observational study was conducted to obtain direct measures of the relationship of sonographers to their environment during the completion of sonographic examinations.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) was used to evaluate the positions of five sonographers during 24 sonographic examinations. The observed positions were compared among the various examinations and the association of these observed postures to discomfort, sonographer height, and exam table height was evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All participants reported an increase in musculoskeletal discomfort at the end of the workday. Overall RULA scores ranged from 3.11 to 5.00 with upper extremity venous Doppler and transvaginal pelvic examinations averaging the highest. Increasingly poor upper extremity positioning was positively associated with increased musculoskeletal discomfort (r=0.53, p< 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Regardless of the examination being performed, sonographers are working in positions that require further evaluation and intervention. Longitudinal studies are needed that evaluate the inter-relationship of biopsychosocial risk factors of musculoskeletal injuries.
authors: Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
authors: Shawn C
authors: SC
authors: Roll
authors: School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.
authors: Lauren
authors: L
authors: Selhorst
authors: School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.
authors: Kevin D
authors: KD
authors: Evans
mesh_terms: D001827:Body Height; D006804:Ergonomics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D059352:Musculoskeletal Pain / Q000209:etiology*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011187:Posture; D014463:Ultrasonography; D034941:Upper Extremity
keywords: Ergonomics; injury prevention; rapid upper limb assessment