Hi Stephanie! This is such an important topic to talk about! Work related musculoskeletal disorders are so prevalent in sonographers. I think that especially as we start out in the field of ultrasound, it is crucial that we take ergonomics into account. I had not thought about OB and Echo Ultrasound techs being more susceptible to WRMSDs because of the repetitive examinations, that is very interesting. Taking those extra 30 seconds or a few minutes to make the room fit you as well as possible, depending on patient and room size, will save our joints and career. I appreciate that you included ways to reduce the likelihood of sustaining a work related musculoskeletal injury, such as stretching and taking micro breaks.
Hi Stephanie! The topic of work-related musculoskeletal disorders is such an important topic of conversation in the field of ultrasound! The repetitive motions and grip force combined and sustained during an ultrasound exam is strenuous on the body. Those factors combined with posture and position that the technician withholds during an exam puts even more strain on the body. You referenced so many good points for reference that I view as a new sonographer to remember in practicing proper ergonomics to protect the body and longevity of my career. Great job!
Hey Stephanie!
I’m so glad that you choose to do a topic on ergonomics. It is so important, especially in ultrasound!! We are investing a lot of time and money during this program, so we must take care of our bodies and use good ergonomics. This is so we are able to avoid WRMSD and have long lasting careers pain free. I like how you added in tips on how we can improve our ergonomics while scanning. We must take care of ourselves to take care of others! Wonderful post!
Hi Stephanie!
Ergonomics is such an important part of a sonographers career. I like that you added in what could cause a work-related musculoskeletal disorder if you are no using the proper ergonomics to help reduce and or prevent an a WRMSD. I am surprised by the amount of sonographers that have a symptom of a WRMSD, and the amount of how many of them end their career. I never though that for the sonographers in OB or cardiac are more likely to end up with a WRMSD because, they do the exams that are back to back or the same exams over and over. Now, that I have learned that it really makes me think about if I want a career as an OB sonographer or a sonographer that does all the exams. You gave some good tips on how we as a sonographer can save our selves when we are scanning. Since I take minibreaks between patients, I will now try to add stretches and exercises to help reduce a WRMSD. Nice job!
Hi Stephanie!
WRMSDs is one of the most important topics in ultrasound in my opinion! We spend over a year of our life learning how to become an ultrasound tech, but if we didn’t learn about the possibility and likelihood of WRMSDs we could potentially ruin our career shortly after it starts. I’ve personally noticed how easily it could happen if I stand with all my weight on one leg instead of sitting, lean over the bed too far, apply force for a long period of time, and especially if I try to hold my elbow up off the patient instead of gently resting my wrist/arm on them. I really like your tips and tricks on preventing WRMSDs, most importantly when you say to “adjust the room to fit you”. That can sometimes be difficult as a student when you’re pre or post scanning a tech that has their room set up to their preferences.. sometimes you just work with however they have it instead of adjusting a bunch of stuff while the patient is waiting, but I need to remind myself it’s more important to preserve my body! Great presentation!
Hi Stephanie!
Ergonomics is one of the most important things to learn for ultrasound in my opinion! We spend a year and a half of our time learning how to become an ultrasound tech but without being aware of WRMSDs and how to prevent them, we could ruin our career shortly after it starts. I personally have noticed the affect on my body if I stand with all my body weight on one leg, lean across the bed too much, apply force for a long period of time, or if I try to hold my elbow up instead of resting my wrist/arm gently on the patient. I have to remind myself to avoid doing these things before it creates permanent damage. It can sometimes be challenging to have good ergonomics when we are pre or post scanning a tech that has their room/machine set up to their preferences and we just try to work with it instead of adjusting a bunch of things while the patient is waiting, but it definitely is better to take those few minutes to readjust than subject ourselves to WRMSDs. Great presentation!
Emma
April 24, 2023 — 10:41 pm
Hi Stephanie! This is such an important topic to talk about! Work related musculoskeletal disorders are so prevalent in sonographers. I think that especially as we start out in the field of ultrasound, it is crucial that we take ergonomics into account. I had not thought about OB and Echo Ultrasound techs being more susceptible to WRMSDs because of the repetitive examinations, that is very interesting. Taking those extra 30 seconds or a few minutes to make the room fit you as well as possible, depending on patient and room size, will save our joints and career. I appreciate that you included ways to reduce the likelihood of sustaining a work related musculoskeletal injury, such as stretching and taking micro breaks.
Heather Brown
April 25, 2023 — 11:05 am
Hi Stephanie! The topic of work-related musculoskeletal disorders is such an important topic of conversation in the field of ultrasound! The repetitive motions and grip force combined and sustained during an ultrasound exam is strenuous on the body. Those factors combined with posture and position that the technician withholds during an exam puts even more strain on the body. You referenced so many good points for reference that I view as a new sonographer to remember in practicing proper ergonomics to protect the body and longevity of my career. Great job!
Madison Frank
April 25, 2023 — 5:56 pm
Hey Stephanie!
I’m so glad that you choose to do a topic on ergonomics. It is so important, especially in ultrasound!! We are investing a lot of time and money during this program, so we must take care of our bodies and use good ergonomics. This is so we are able to avoid WRMSD and have long lasting careers pain free. I like how you added in tips on how we can improve our ergonomics while scanning. We must take care of ourselves to take care of others! Wonderful post!
Jessica Barrett
April 30, 2023 — 12:38 pm
Hi Stephanie!
Ergonomics is such an important part of a sonographers career. I like that you added in what could cause a work-related musculoskeletal disorder if you are no using the proper ergonomics to help reduce and or prevent an a WRMSD. I am surprised by the amount of sonographers that have a symptom of a WRMSD, and the amount of how many of them end their career. I never though that for the sonographers in OB or cardiac are more likely to end up with a WRMSD because, they do the exams that are back to back or the same exams over and over. Now, that I have learned that it really makes me think about if I want a career as an OB sonographer or a sonographer that does all the exams. You gave some good tips on how we as a sonographer can save our selves when we are scanning. Since I take minibreaks between patients, I will now try to add stretches and exercises to help reduce a WRMSD. Nice job!
Maegan Palacio
April 30, 2023 — 9:21 pm
Hi Stephanie!
WRMSDs is one of the most important topics in ultrasound in my opinion! We spend over a year of our life learning how to become an ultrasound tech, but if we didn’t learn about the possibility and likelihood of WRMSDs we could potentially ruin our career shortly after it starts. I’ve personally noticed how easily it could happen if I stand with all my weight on one leg instead of sitting, lean over the bed too far, apply force for a long period of time, and especially if I try to hold my elbow up off the patient instead of gently resting my wrist/arm on them. I really like your tips and tricks on preventing WRMSDs, most importantly when you say to “adjust the room to fit you”. That can sometimes be difficult as a student when you’re pre or post scanning a tech that has their room set up to their preferences.. sometimes you just work with however they have it instead of adjusting a bunch of stuff while the patient is waiting, but I need to remind myself it’s more important to preserve my body! Great presentation!
Maegan Palacio
April 30, 2023 — 9:41 pm
Hi Stephanie!
Ergonomics is one of the most important things to learn for ultrasound in my opinion! We spend a year and a half of our time learning how to become an ultrasound tech but without being aware of WRMSDs and how to prevent them, we could ruin our career shortly after it starts. I personally have noticed the affect on my body if I stand with all my body weight on one leg, lean across the bed too much, apply force for a long period of time, or if I try to hold my elbow up instead of resting my wrist/arm gently on the patient. I have to remind myself to avoid doing these things before it creates permanent damage. It can sometimes be challenging to have good ergonomics when we are pre or post scanning a tech that has their room/machine set up to their preferences and we just try to work with it instead of adjusting a bunch of things while the patient is waiting, but it definitely is better to take those few minutes to readjust than subject ourselves to WRMSDs. Great presentation!