3 ways to reduce overuse injury in sonographers

Sonography has become a daily tool for hospitals and imaging centers; it’s inexpensive, relatively quick and the radiation is non-ionizing. However, this growing utilization has increased the workload for individual sonographers, resulting in widespread overuse injuries—as many as 90 percent of sonographers image in pain, according to a 2009 study.

Administering a sonogram requires stiff posture and precise, repetitive movements of the shoulders and wrists—a surefire recipe for carpal tunnel syndrome or tendonitis. In addition, reading the sonograms in the typically dark exam room can cause eye strain.

Now, a Lund University (Sweden) study has provided more specific information on the stress injuries suffered by sonographers and how to prevent them.

There are a number of simple solutions that are easily implementable, including these three recommended by the study's authors:

1. Optimizing the lighting and using an adjustable LED monitor can reduce eye strain.
2. Educating sonographers about using a straight wrist when they grip the transducer can reduce the risk of carpal tunnel.
3. An ergonomic workstation including adjustable chair and exam table can cut down on overreaching and twisting by the sonographer.

In addition, two emerging technologies may reduce the stress on sonographers. Voice activated technology can reduce the amount of times the sonographer has to reach a control panel, and, while still under development, a robot arm holding the transducer shrinks the risk to shoulders or wrists.

As sonography becomes firmly entrenched in the daily workflow of a hospital or imaging center, implementing these improvements can help preserve the health of sonographers—and the bottom line.