title: Arm and neck pain in ultrasonographers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of upper-body-quadrant pain among ultrasonographers and to evaluate the association between individual ergonomics, musculoskeletal disorders, and occurrence of neck pain.
  
  
  METHODS
  A hundred and ten (N = 110) Belgian and Dutch male and female hospital ultrasonographers were consecutively enrolled in the study. Data on work-related ergonomic and musculoskeletal disorders were collected with an electronic inquiry, including questions regarding ergonomics (position of the screen, high-low table, and ergonomic chair), symptoms (neck pain, upper-limb pain), and work-related factors (consecutive working hours a day, average working hours a week).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Subjects with the screen on their left had significantly more neck pain (odds ratio [OR] = 3.6, p = .0286). Depending on the workspace, high-low tables increased the chance of developing neck pain (OR = 12.9, p = .0246). A screen at eye level caused less neck pain (OR = .22, p = .0610). Employees with a fixed working space were less susceptible to arm pain (OR = 0.13, p = .0058). The prevalence of arm pain was significantly higher for the vascular department compared to radiology, urology, and gynecology departments (OR = 9.2, p = .0278).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Regarding prevention of upper-limb pain in ultrasonograph, more attention should be paid to the work environment and more specialty to the ultrasound workstation layout. Primary ergonomic prevention could provide a painless work situation for the ultrasonographer.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Further research on the ergonomic conditions of ultrasonography is necessary to develop ergonomic solutions in the work environment that will help to alleviate neck and arm pain.
authors: University Hospital Antwerp, Belgium frank.claes@uza.be.
authors: Frank
authors: F
authors: Claes
authors: ZNA Stuivenberg, Antwerp, Belgium.
authors: Jan
authors: J
authors: Berger
authors: University Hospital Antwerp, Belgium.
authors: Gaëtane
authors: G
authors: Stassijns
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001132:Arm / Q000503:physiopathology; D006804:Ergonomics; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D059352:Musculoskeletal Pain / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D009333:Neck / Q000503:physiopathology; D019547:Neck Pain / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D056888:Patient Positioning; D014463:Ultrasonography
keywords: ergonomics; musculoskeletal disorders; neck pain