Sonographers and Occupational Overuse Syndrome

Due to remarkable advances in technology, sonographers today are working more efficiently, serving considerably more patients per day. One would assume this to be a benefit, when in fact a new problem has surfaced directly related to these achievements. Ultrasound exams require a peculiar type of muscular effort on the part of the sonographer. Tiny muscle tears that are the result of repetitive manipulations of the transducer, without adequate rest between exams, progress to more extensive muscular damage. The muscular damage can lead to career-ending injury. The purpose of this article is to examine the causes of overuse injuries brought on by repetitive muscle stresses associated with the performance of ultrasound exams and to discuss the changes necessary to combat this ergonomic crisis. Change is difficult, but with the combined efforts of equipment designers, employers, and sonographers, change is possible and an auspicious future can be envisioned.