Term
| 1)How many techs have some degree of MSI trouble? 2)How many have to leave the field as a result? |
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Definition
1)More than 80% of sonographers surveyed reported that they had suffered from some form of MSI.
2)MSI's are career-ending in up to 20% of sonographers. |
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Term
| What is changing about the medical setting to make these injuries more likely? |
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Definition
- Advances in ultrasound technology, leading to the ability to perform more exams in a shorter period of time.
- A more obese (difficult to image) patient population
- Reduced reimbursement leading to pressure for increased productivity among sonographers
- Staffing shortages
- Busier schedules and associated reduced break times
- An aging sonographer workforce
- An increase in employee awareness of the problem
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Term
| What are some bad body positions to work with? |
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Definition
| Anything that takes the body out of a neutral position. |
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Term
| Physical factors that increase risk: age, gender, height & weight, handedness, physical fitness, systemic illness (e.g., arthritis) |
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Definition
Age: more susceptible with increasing age
Gender: more susceptible if female (more females work in sonography)
Height and weight: shorter and heavier workers are more susceptible
Hand dominance: right-handedscanners tend to have shoulder and neck injuries; whereas, left-handed scanners tend to have wrist and elbow problems
Physical fitness: poor physical fitness corresponds with more injuries
Systemic Illnesses may be a predisposing factor |
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Term
| What are some of the symptoms associated with MSI? |
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Definition
- Pain
- Swelling
- Loss of sensation in affected area
- Numbness
- Burning or tingling
- Tenderness
- Clumsiness
- Muscle spasm
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Term
| What modalities are used to diagnose MSI? Which is not usually helpful? |
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Definition
- MRI may be useful
- Ultrasound (with high frequency transducers) is useful for some cases, i.e., rotator cuff tears, carpal tunnel injuries
- Physical exam for range of motion may be helpful
- X-rays will probably NOT be helpful since MSI's are injuries to soft tissues
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Term
| What treatments might be used for MSI? |
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Definition
- Physical Therapy
- Analgesics, anti-inflammatories, muscle relaxants
- Splints on wrist or elbow
- Steroid injections to wrist proximal to carpal tunnel
- Alternative treatments: acupuncture, acupressure, deep massage, biofeedback, yoga, magnetic fields, naturopathy
- Surgery
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Term
| List and describe the types of MSI. |
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Definition
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: can occur when the wrist or finger is flexed or extended over a long period of time, increasing pressure in the carpal tunnel and causing tension on the median nerve. Leads to pain, paresthesis or numbness of some part of the hand. Areas affected: palmar side of the thumb, index finger, and radial half of the ring finger and palm. Most commonly seen in cardac sonographers.
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Trigger Finger: is the inability to extend or flex a digit
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Cubital Tunnel Syndrome: occurs when the elbow is flexed over a long period of time, causing increased pressure and tension on the ulnar nerve. Symptoms: pain and tenderness around the inside area of the elbow which often radiates into the forearm: and tingling, numbness and/or burning sensations in the ring and little fingers. Typically seen in cardiac sonographers who scan with the left hand.
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Epicondylitis: is also a condition of the elbow. It occures when the epicondyles (tubular protuberances on the mecial and lateral sides of the distal humerus) are inflamed. The epicondyles serve as attachment sites for the ligaments and tendons of the elbow joint. Repeated flexion and twisting of the joint causes this condition. Epicondylitis of the lateral epicondyle is called tennis elbow; of the medial epicondyle, golfer's elbow.
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Tendonitis: is inflammation of a tendon. Tenosynovitis is inflammation of the tendon sheath. One type of tenosynovitis specific to the hand is deQuervain's disease. This deisease results from narrowing of the tendon sheath of the abductor pollicis brevis and the abductor pollicis longus muscles, both involved in abduction of the thumb.
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Rotator Cuff Tear: is a partial or complete tear of the tendons converging over the head of the humerus. The rotator cuff is a common site of injury. Associated symptom: inability to move the affected arm outward (laterally) from body (abduction).
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Thoracic Outlet Syndrome: is a symptom complex caused by conditions in which the nerves and vessels are compressed in the neck or axilla. Symptoms: Pain and parasthesis in the hand, shoulder or arms. More common in women in middle age. Patients may have a cervical rib and many have carpal trunnel nerve compression. Caused by unusual postures, as in excessive stretching and reaching.
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Bursitis: is inflammation of the bursae, usually in the shoulder, the result of pressure, tension, overuse of the arm. The scapula may also be affected by arm abduction.
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Term
| Describe some exercises for MSI prevention. |
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Definition
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Hold tubing in hands with elbows bent and held against sides of body.
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Rotate arms outward.
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Hold for 3 minutes, then slowly relax arms.
- Hold tubing in hands with arms straight in front of body.
- Keep upper arms parallel to floor, elbows bent and pull the tubing straight back.
- Hold for 3 seconds, then slowly relax.
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Raise one elbow to the shoulder.
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Grasp elbow with opposite hand.
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Pull elbow and arm across chest until you feel a stretch.
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Straighten elbow for more stretch.
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Hold for 30 seconds, then repeat with other arm.
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Reach behind back with one arm and grasp other arm.
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Pull arm upward until you feel a stretch.
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Hold for 30 seconds, then repeat on other side.
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Place one hand above elbow of other arm.
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Attempt to raise arm while applying resistance with hand.
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Repeat with other side.
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Anchor tubing to solid object or door.
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Stand, holding tubing in both hands with arms in front of body.
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Pull arms backward.
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Hold for 3 seconds, then relax.
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Lie on back holding weight (5 lbs or less) wih one hand.
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Raise shoulder off the floor as weight is pushed toward ceiling.
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Repeat with other arm.
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Stand erect and relax shoulder.
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Raise shoulders toward ears.
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Hold briefly, then slowly and completely lower shoulders.
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Term
| BACK: how to prevent injury. |
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Definition
| The best defense against back pain is to work your abdominals. |
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Term
| What are unsafe workload thresholds for echo, general ultrasound, cath, and vascular techs? |
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Definition
Echo, >100/month
General, >150/month
Vascular, not as clear. Depends on types of studies , how long they take, ect. |
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Term
| Who can be your allies if you are trying to change your working conditions for the better? |
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Definition
| Risk Management, Employee Health, and possibly Professional Society. |
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