Body Mechanics for Mammography Technologists

Transcription

1 Body Mechanics for Mammography Technologists Diane Rinella RT(R)(M)(BD)RDMS(BR)CDT Objectives Recognize causes and risk factors for Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) for mammography technologists Understand how to use proper body mechanics while positioning patients Understand how to implement simple preventative measures Important Terminology Prevalence of MSDs Among Healthcare Workers Repetitive Motion Injury Repetitive Strain Injury Cumulative Trauma Disorder (CTD) Musculoskeletal Disorder (MSD) Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorder (WMSD) 276,000 MSDs nationwide/year due to repetitive stress injuries (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) 70% of cases reported were women Women make up 80% of the healthcare work force Healthcare workers and industrial workers have close to equal injury rates Construction workers injuries 11.8/100 and for hospital workers 11.4/100 Technologists At Risk The Anatomy of Good Posture Technical advances the ability to perform more exams in a shorter period of time Low reimbursement rates with increase in equipment costs- pressure for increase in productivity Staffing shortages Busier schedules reduced break times An aging work force Back Cervical curve Thoracic curve Lumbar curve Muscles Strong Flexible Joints Hip Knee Ankle 1

2 A View of Good Posture The Importance of Good Posture Straight alignment Equal heights of shoulders, hips and knees. Head not tilted Promotes movement efficiency Promotes endurance Feeling of well being Preventative measure Good appearance View of Poor Postures Physical Factors - Limitations Slouched Posture Kyphosis Lordosis Military Posture Head back Shoulder s back Lower back arched (Lordosis) Knees locked Age Being Female Height and Weight Hand/Arm dominance Physical Fitness Illnesses Biomechanical Risks for Mammography Technologists Frequent repetitive motions Spine, shoulders, knees, wrists, hands, fingers and thumbs with arms above shoulder level Moving patients without proper technique Crouching/bending/twisting of spine Excessive wrist flexion or deviation Equipment design Psychological Factors Anxiety/Stress Increases muscle tension Job Attitude (ability to cope) Better attitudes able to adapt more quickly and heal faster Uncertainty Source of distress which may increase cortisol (slows healing of damaged tissues) 2

3 Musculoskeletal Injuries Carpal Tunnel Syndrome DeQuervain s Disease Ganglion Cysts Rotator Cuff Tear Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Lower Back Pain Tendonitis Bursitis Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Most frequently reported condition Description: Median nerve compression Causes: Repetitive flexion/extension of the wrist Symptoms: Painful tingling, partial hand numbness. DeQuervain s Disease Description: Inflammation of the tendon sheath involved in thumb abduction Causes: Repetitive movements, repetitive grasping and certain inflammatory conditions Symptoms: fatigue and pain in basal thumb joint CC View - Incorrect Shoulders raised Thumbs abducted CC View - Incorrect Shoulders elevated Thumbs abducted Thumb Abducted Thumb abducted Stress on basal thumb joint Repeated strain can lead to DeQuervain s Loss of pectoralis muscle 3

4 CC View - Correct CC View - Incorrect CC View- Correct Twisting Shoulders elevated Proper alignment Shoulders level No straining 4

5 CC View - Incorrect CC view - Correct Proper body alignment Foot pedal near technologist CC View shorter technologist /tall patient Techs body is now aligned properly Wrist is in a neutral position No tippy toes Shoulders level CC View patient seated 5

6 CC View Patient Seated CC View - Summary Shoulders level (no reaching) Wrist is neutral (no hyper extension) Result: nipple straight, breast not rolled, good eye contact Stand next to your patient Head aligned Shoulders level Move patient with your body Keep thumbs adducted Foot pedals near you Use pedals rather than reaching for buttons Loss of spinal curves Lower back strain Knee strain Loss of spinal curves Lower back strain Knee strain PLACE FORHEAD HERE X Proper alignment of spine Head/neck centered Arms not reaching No strain 6

7 MLO View Face shield On Face shield can obstruct access Twisting Wrist strain Loss of spinal curves Leaning back and sideways Leaning back Loss of spinal curves ed Proper alignment of spine Head/neck centered Arms not reaching Absence of straining Spinal curves lost Arms reaching, stretching, holding Tippy Toes?? Spinous curves maintained Added knee bend for additional support 7

8 Spinal curves lost Lower back strain Control of shoulder?? Straining Loss of tissue due to loss of control of patient s shoulder Bending Twisting Straining Stand back from tower to elevate Button - at or below the level of your shoulder Twisting Straining 8

9 Head turned/neck twisted Spinal curves lost Balance? Pressure on left knee joint Proper foot pedal placement for tech to keep body aligned Thumb abducted Strain on basal thumb joint Can lead to DeQuervain s Hand properly positioned with thumb adducted MLO View - Summary Equipment Handling - Incorrect Move patient with your body No reaching Keep your spine aligned Bend your knees rather than strain your back Do not go under the tube head Remove faceshield if possible Support breast with the base of the hand and not the thumb Pedals underneath your feet Bucky removal 9

10 Equipment Handling - Correct Equipment handling - Incorrect Technologist stands up next to the bucky and uses her body to pull the bucky towards her Thumb being used to pop cassette out of bucky Equipment Handling - Correct Equipment Handling - Incorrect Entire hand/arm used Carrying cassettes Equipment Handling - Correct Technologist correctly carrying cassettes close to her body Be Cool, Stay Loose, Stay Limber Stretch before you begin your day Take your breaks Relax during your breaks/lunch Walk, read, meditate 10

11 Summary Thank You Mammography technologists are at risk Good posture is imperative Handle patients/equipment using proper body mechanics If you are symptomatic report it immediately H A P P Y H A N D S Happy Feet :o) 11