TOS
Thoracic outlet syndrome
Thoracic outlet syndrome
Is a group of disorders brought on by compression of blood vessels or nerves in the space between the clavicle and first rib
What are the symptoms of TOS? (2)
- Pain in the neck and shoulder area
2. Numbness and weakness in the arm/hand
What are upper extremity injuries associated with? (3)
- Poorly designed transducers
- Improperly holding the transducer
- Excessively gripping the transducer
What can cause pain and numbness down to the hand? (6)
- Tendonitis
- Tenosynovitis
- Tunnel syndromes
- Damage to the elbow
- Epicondylitis
- tennis or golfer’s elbow - Posterior impingement syndrome of the elbow
How do you prevent elbow injuries?
Keep the angle between the arm and forearm close to 90
CTS
Carpal tunnel syndrome
What is carpal tunnel syndrome caused by?
Compression of the median nerve at the wrist
What does CTS cause? (3)
- Numbness
- Tingling
- Weakness or pain in the fingers
What can increase the pressure within the carpel tunnel? (4)
- Gripping
- Flexing
- Hyperextending of the hand
- Hyperextending of the wrist tendons
What are possible treatments for CTS? (5)
- Splints to immobilize the area
- Ice reduce the swelling
- NSAIDs for pain relief and to control swelling
- Injections of steroids
- Surgery
What does plantar fasciitis result from?
Overuse and repeated stress on the foot
- typically produces heel pain with the first few steps in the morning
What are possible treatments for plantar fasciitis? (6)
- Rest
- Ice
- Taping
- Strengthening
- Flexibility exercises
- Orthotic devices
What can help to prevent plantar fasciitis?
Wear shoes with good arch support
- adequate cushioning and enough flexibility to easily bend under the ball of the foot
What can cause headaches? (7)
- Light
- Screens
- Smells
- Hunger
- Fatigue
- Tension
- Stress
What should window screening environments have? (3)
- Adequate light-blocking blinds
- Shades
- Curtains
How should you move your screen to avoid headaches?
Position the imaging equipment parallel to windows to prevent display screen glare
What are treatments for headaches or migraines? (2)
- Every 20 minutes or so, look away off in the distance (20 feet) for 20 seconds
- Have your eyes checked regularly
What is an injured muscles best friend?
Oxygen
What is essential to prevent injuries?
A strong core
- good posture is vital
What are the 6 different bed positions?
- Fowlers position
- Semi fowlers
- Trandelenburg
- Reverse trandelenburg
- Supine
- Simm’s position
Fowlers position
Sitting at an almost 90 deg angle
Semi fowlers
Bed is partially reclined to a 30-45 deg angle
Trandelenburg
Head is below the level of the feet
Reverse trandelenburg
Feet are below the level of the head
- venous studies
Supine
Laying on your back flat
Simm’s position
The recovery position
- elbow bent and up and knee bent and up
How can you prevent work related injuries? (11)
- Constant vigilance
- Be aware of what causes injury
- Be aware of the force you exert
- Be aware of your position
- Avoid static stressors
- Frequent rest and exercise
- Use your equipment to its full ergonomic potential
- Wear proper footwear
- Exercise and stretching programs
- Take your breaks
- See a physical therapist
What does good ergonomics look like? (10)
- Patient is moved close to the sonographer
- do arm doesnt have to extend - Rest arm on patient
- Sitting straight
- Feet on floor
- Looking slightly down at the monitor
- Not reaching
- Adjusted bed
- Arm band
- Body facing the monitor
- Not leaning
How can you cope with workplace stress? (3)
- Take responsibility for improving your physical and emotional well-being
- Identify and avoid knee-jerk reactions, habits, and negative attitudes
- Improve communication skills to ease and improve approaches to patients and relationships with superiors and coworkers
How can you internally deal with stress? (7)
- Have a positive attitude
- Speak to your employer
- Get extra sleep
- Engage in regular exercise
- Talk to co-workers or friends about problems
- Video games/netflix
- Don’t get into a negative cycle of dependences
- eg. alcohol or drugs