Objectives
The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders amongst practitioners of obstetric and gynaecology ultrasound worldwide, and to establish relevant aetiological factors.

Work-related repetitive strain injuries amongst practitioners of obstetric and gynaecological ultrasound worldwide.

Ergonomics and prevention of musculoskeletal disorders in obstetric sonography is a subject seldom discussed. However, 80% of sonographers describe pain when performing these examinations. The consequences of these disorders can range from impaired quality of life to the complete cessation of professional activity. Some diseases may even require surgical treatments such as carpal tunnel syndrome and shoulder rotator cuff injuries. After joint disorders mainly affecting the upper limbs and neck, deterioration of visual acuity is the second most commonly reported condition. A literature review can identify risk factors, particularly arm abduction greater than 30°, repeated isometric maneuvers without compensatory rest, the level of force applied to the probe, abdominal scanning approaches, examination times longer than 25 minutes, and more than 100 sonographic examinations per month. The ergonomics of the operator's workstation and posture are essential to prevent these disorders. Machine, probe, chair, and examination bed designs are already subject to industrial consensus, but sonographers are responsible for configuring their ideal workstations to preserve their professional and physical potential. Therefore, this article proposes rules of good practice and illustrates recommended positions and those to avoid.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.7863/jum.2013.32.1.157

Practice guidelines for prevention of musculoskeletal disorders in obstetric sonography.

Objectives The aims of present study were to determine the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) among sonographers in China and to provide evidence for appropriate intervention measures to be taken. Methods A self-reported questionnaire was used to screen WRMSDs experienced by sonographers during the past 12 months. This questionnaire survey was created and hosted on the WeChat official account platform for sonographers. Results In the present study, 567 sonographers from 521 medical institutions completed the questionnaire. The vast majority (99.3%) of respondents reported experiencing symptoms of WRMSDs for at least one body region during the past 12 months. Work-related musculoskeletal pain or discomfort was most frequently reported for the neck (95.1%), right shoulder (84.1%), lower back (82.4%), right wrist/hand (81.0%), upper back (78.1%), right forearm/elbow (72.0%), and left shoulder (66.1%). Scanning hours per day, number of patients per day, and years of experience were positively associated with the occurrence and frequency of experiencing WRMSDs of some common and specific anatomical regions. Taking a regular rest break during the scanning working day was associated with a reduction of WRMSDs of the right shoulder and right wrist/hand. Adopting a sitting posture while performing scanning was associated with a reduction of WRMSDs, particularly for the lower back and the neck. Performing regular physical activity during leisure time was associated with a reduction of WRMSDs of the neck. Conclusions The prevalence of WRMSDs among sonographers in China was extremely high. It is necessary and essential to reduce the number of scanning hours and patients per day, adopt a sitting posture while performing scanning, schedule regular rest breaks during the scanning working day, and encourage performance of regular physical activity during leisure time to alleviate this WRMSD issue experienced by sonographers.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1539/joh.17-0057-OA

Prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders among sonographers in China: results from a national web-based survey.

http://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/BF01923395.pdf

Transvaginal ultrasound: Dodson MG, Churchill Livingstone. New York, 1991. Price: £45.00. ISBN: 0 443 08761 X

Background: Gynecologists are exposed to multiple risk factors for developing physical complaints. To enhance the workplace ergonomics in gynecological practice, a more detailed insight about job content and associated demands is necessary to subsequently decrease the exposure to risk factors. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of physical complaints and the presence of ergonomic constraints in Dutch gynecological practice. Methods: A questionnaire was distributed among the 1200 members of the Dutch Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology. It consisted of 52 Dutch questions derived from the validated Dutch Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. Results: A total of 227 respondents completed the questionnaire (response rate 18.9%). Overall, 99.5% of the respondents rated their health status as reasonable or good. However, the twelve-month prevalence of physical complaints in one or more body part was 89.4%. Sustained adverse body postures were particularly reported for performing abdominal, and endoscopic surgery, and for assisting in vaginal surgery. Limited workspace, instruments, and patient size were reported by more than 60% of the respondents as constraints for adopting a neutral body posture during vaginal, endoscopic and abdominal surgery respectively. Conclusion: The results emphasize the necessity of enhancing ergonomics in gynecological practice. Better ergonomic circumstances will most likely benefit both the health of the gynecologists as well as the quality of surgical care.

Ergonomics in gynecologists' daily practice: A nationwide survey in The Netherlands.

Objectives

To investigate the specific complaints of physicians and technicians performing obstetric and gynecological ultrasound.



Methods

This was a cross-sectional retrospective survey. Questionnaires were distributed to members of the Israeli Society of Gynecological Ultrasound, including questions on gender and profession, number and type of scans performed, pain related to profession and any therapy undergone. Statistical analysis included chi-square or Fisher's exact test, Student's t-test, Pearson's correlation coefficient and logistic regression.



Results

Joint pain was reported by 51.7% (30/58) of the technicians compared with 25.3% (19/75) of the physicians (P = 0.002). It was more common in females than in males (P = 0.05) and it was more common among those who performed transabdominal sonography more frequently than they did transvaginal sonography (P = 0.004). There was a significant association between performing transabdominal ultrasound and back pain (P = 0.05). Although females reported pain more frequently, the rate of surgical procedures was higher among males (P < 0.05).



Conclusions

A technician is 3.5 times more likely to report joint pain than is a physician. Transabdominal sonography is a risk for both joint and back pain. There may be gender differences in pain perception. Copyright © 2006 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The hazards to practitioners of obstetric and gynecological ultrasound.

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The hazards to practitioners of obstetric and gynecological ultrasound.