Work Related Musculoskeletal
Injury In Radiographers
Ross McGhee
SOR H&S Rep
BWoSCC
MSD
The term MSD covers any injury,
damage or disorder of the joints or
other tissues in the upper/lower
limbs or the back. (HSE)
http://www.hse.gov.uk/msd/
Painful limb movements, muscle
tenderness, spontaneous pain
WRMSD
Most common work related illness in
Britain 9 – 26% of population
Average of 15 days lost per case
Physiology
Patient strains muscle
Muscle inflames as natural response
Inflamed muscle traps associated
nerve
Nerve cells fire pain signals at small
movements and light pressure
New Problem?
NO!!
Bernadino Ramazzini (1633 – 1714)
“Incessant driving of the pen over the paper causes intense
fatigue of the hand and the whole arm because of the continuous
strain on the muscles and tendons”
Samuel Solly 1864 said it was rare
“notwithstanding the fact that the greastest part of the middle
classes of London get their bread by the use of the pen”
Increase in manual tasks at work
have increased WRMSD
Contributory Factors
Poor posture
Exertive force
Repetition
Poorly developed environment
Psychosocial factors
Something's gotta give
SOR Radiographer Survey (2011)
56.6% of respondents suffer aches and pains
94.8% of respondents carry out work with a
headache
99.1% of respondents feel excessive fatigue at
the end of a working day
60.9% have never received training on reducing
MSD
92.3% find it difficult to keep up with the work
they are expected to do
95.6% feel under pressure
99.2% twist or bend in their body to do work
97% adopt awkward positions
SOR Rad Survey (2011)
(Recovery)
15.8% take an hour to recover from
discomfort
31.4% take 1-6 hours to recover
13.9% take 8-24 hours to recover
12.5% take 24 hours or more
9.7% do not recover!!!
Why Radiographers?
Awkward positions
Heavy patients
High working height
Time constraints / pressure
Lack of recovery time
“Ignoring pain to get the job done”
Multi-Task
What Can Help?
DATIX!! - Responsibility to report
incidents
Risk register – list of risks out with
managerial influence that have been
identified to minimise problems and
make staff aware of potential hazard
What Can Help
Ergonomics –
designing
equipment around
the user
ONE SIZE DOES
NOT FIT ALL
What Can Help?
Keep active outside work
Talk to your managers and reps
If symptoms develop don’t suffer in
silence SEEK HELP!!
What Can Help?
Pilates – Improves flexibility and
strength
Relaxes and lengthens muscles
Increases strength in abdominals and
back muscles
Reduces Stress
Improves sex life
Alexander Technique
Method of self improvement and reeducation
Makes us more aware of the way we
move
“When you stop doing the wrong thing the, right thing does
itself” F M Alexander
Alexander Technique
Helps with – back, neck & joint pain,
muscle tension & stiffness, poor
posture, stress & anxiety, breathing
problems
Bad Habits
“Curious things habits. People themselves never know they
have them” Agatha Christie
Inconvenience
Quick & easy use
Ineffective practice
Habit
Rules
Avoid –
risky procedures
Assess – if necessary assess the situation
Reduce –
the risk
Monitor –
the situation for future risk
Things to Remember
Humeral–Scapular Rhythm –
do not lead
arm movement with the hand. Unlock the shoulder then
move
H&S is everyone's job –
duty of care to
yourself. If you don’t look after yourself you might
inadvertently compromise your patient
Know yourself –
listen to your body
THE FUN BIT!!!
EXERCISES FOR
PREVENTION AND
RECOVERY
References
Health & Safety at Work Act 1974
Health & Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992
Provision & Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998
Workplace (Health, Safety & Welfare) Regulations 1992
Industry Standards for the Prevention of Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders in
Sonography (SOR (2006))
The Causes of Musculoskeletal Injury Amongst Sonographers In The UK (SOR
(2002))
Prevention of Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders in Sonography (SOR(2007))
A Study of the Experiences of Participants Following Attendance at a Workshop on
Methods to prevent or reduce Musculoskeletal Disorders Amongst Sonographers; V.
Gibbs, P. Young; Radiography; 17 (2011) 223-229
The Alexander Technique; A. Cavallone (2011)
Pro-active or Re-active Health & Safety: Issues Faced by Managers; A Francis (2011)
MSD Risk Management: its what you do dn how you do it; L Nicholls (2011)
Understanding Symptom Production In RSI; A, Dilley (2011)
Musculoskeletal Disorders in Therapeutic Radiographers (SOR) (2011)
Stop Yourself Becoming a Patient: Exercises for Prevention & Recovery; J, Burnage
(2011)