Musculoskeletal Disorders
and Mammography
Mammography
• There is limited research regarding the
musculoskeletal problems experienced by
mammographers.
Hearn and Reeves in 2003
Aimed to establish:
1)Whether mammographers are prone to RSI
2)What factors cause RSI
3)The proportion of mammographers in Britain suffering
from RSI
4) Ways of reducing RSI
Risk Factors
• Prolonged positioning (e.g. neck
extension)
• Less experienced staff
• Repeated tasks
• Repetitive force
• Intensity of workload
(Hearn and Reeves, 2003)
Mammography
• Lavell and Burkitt, 2008
• Poster presentation: The seated
mammographer: a radical improvement in
ergonomics
• Sommerich et al, 2010
• Participatory Ergonomics Applied to
Mammographers' Work
What can you do to reduce the
risk?
• Try to take regular mini breaks
• Regularly stretch muscles and joints which
commonly get tight
• Technique
• Be aware of your posture as much as possible
• Seek early treatment if symptoms do not settle
• Maintain a healthy lifestyle
Muscles and joints which
commonly get tight or weak
• Short and tight upper cervical extensors
/Long and weak deep neck flexors.
This encourages forces to got through the
lower cervical spine and can contribute
to wear and tear, and nerve root problems.
Muscles and joints which
commonly get tight or weak
• Tight Pectorals and kyphosed thoracic
spine.
This posture can affect the mechanics of the
shoulder girdle and will increase risk of
impingement and rotator cuff problems.
Muscles and joints which
commonly get tight or weak
• Tight upper fibres of trapezius, scalenes,
sternocleidomastoid.
Overuse of these muscles can often occur
as the arm muscles start to fatigue.
Causes myofascial pain and affects neural
dynamics.
Muscles and joints which
commonly get tight or weak
• Weak lower abdominals and poor
positioning of the pelvis (increased
lordosis and tight hip flexors are common).
There is much research to show that
poor core stability can contribute to low
back pain.
Other factors that can affect
Musculoskeletal Disorders
• Stress/ Anxiety
• Organisational factors (e.g. policies,
amount of support in job modifications or
phased return to work)
References
•
Gale, A.G., Hunter, N., Lawton, C. and Purdy, K. 2007, Ergonomic Assessment of
Mammography Units. Loughborough University.
•
Hearn, T. and Reeves, P., 2003, RSI in mammography. Synergy: representing
radiographers, promoting radiography, 16-19.
•
Sommerich, C, Lavender, S, Sanders, E, Lamar, S, Evans, K, Joines, S, and Yen, W (2010)
Participatory Ergonomics Applied to Mammographers' Work. Proceedings of the Human
Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting September 2010 vol. 54 no. 15 1210-1213
•
Lavell, J.R. and Burkitt, J., 2008, The seated mammographer: a radical improvement in
ergonomics. 10, Poster 46, S13.