British sonographers move to stamp out occupational MSK injuries

The Society of Radiographers in the U.K. has published a guidance to help prevent work-related musculoskeletal disorders, the most common work-related illness in Britain.

Studies have repeatedly shown that radiographers and other healthcare professionals who carry out sonography examinations are at particularly high risk of suffering painful conditions affecting the back, shoulders, neck, and arms. These include tendinitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and tenosynovitis.

"Too many sonographers are being made ill by their work and, in some cases, have to retire because of disabling repetitive strain injuries," said Kim Sunley, the health and safety officer for the Society of Radiographers.

Increasing volumes of work and demanding work schedules within some organizations, exacerbated by staff shortages and the pressures of working in a target-driven environment, may have an impact on the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among sonographers, according to the report.

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