Learn the latest innovations in ergonomics that improve radiographer comfort in order to help reduce risk of injury.
What are Musculoskeletal Disorders and How Do They Affect Radiographers?
- Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders—or WRMSDs—are injuries that develop or worsen due to job-specific activities.
- Tissue Involvement: Muscles, nerves, blood vessels, ligaments, and tendons are commonly affected.
- Core Symptoms: Inflammation, pain, numbness, etc.
Source: https://www.osha.gov/ergonomics
The "Silent Epidemic" in Radiography
- Alarming Prevalence Rates: Studies consistently report WRMSD rates above 80%1, often exceeding 90% globally across radiography professionals.
- Normalization of Chronic Discomfort: Gradual onset leads to under-reporting; symptoms often accepted as an unavoidable 'part of the job.’
1 Radiologic Technology, November/December 2021, Volume 93, Number 2
Where We Hurt?
Specific Injury Focus
Lower Back Discomfort
Most common complaint among radiographers, reported by 82%.
Neck Discomfort
Experienced by 70% due to sustained neck flexion and awkward views.
Shoulder Pain
66% report shoulder strain from patient positioning and equipment handling.
Wrist/Hand Strain
58% suffer from discomfort related to repetitive hand use.
Source: Radiol Technol 2021;93 (2): 161-176.
What Can We Do?
Become a Healthy Radiographer
Equipment Operation
Patient Transfer
Stretching & Exercises
Ergonomic Equipment
Learn Best Practices
Optimizing Equipment Operation
Shoulder Health
Avoid Reaching
Tube Head Operation
The following presentation is for informational purposes only. This material was created in collaboration with Kolber Consulting Group, LLC for general educational purposes, demonstrating both techniques that are recommended and techniques that are not recommended. There is no guarantee that other clinicians will achieve the intended results and performance. Clinicians should consult with a physician and review any applicable institutional policies before attempting these exercises.
Learn Best Practices
Patient Transfer
Wheelchair Transfer Improper
Wheelchair Transfer Proper
One Person Transfer Improper
One Person Transfer Proper
Two Person Transfer Improper
Two Person Transfer Proper
Practice Healthy Radiographer® Daily Stretches*
Cross Arm Stretch
Benefits: Relieves tension from frequent arm use and helps maintain shoulder mobility—key for techs often lifting or reaching.
Hand/Wrist Prayer Stretch
- Reduces risk of repetitive strain injuries
- Improves grip comfort/dexterity
- Prevents stiffness from static hand positions
Shoulder Squeeze
Benefits: Improved posture, increased upper back strength, and shoulder stability
Hip Hinge
More of a movement pattern than a stretch, but vital for safe lifting mechanics and spinal health.
Why it’s key: Reinforces proper body mechanics during patient transfers.
*The following presentation is for informational purposes only. This material was created in collaboration with Kolber Consulting Group, LLC for general educational purposes, demonstrating both techniques that are recommended and techniques that are not recommended. There is no guarantee that other clinicians will achieve the intended results and performance. Clinicians should consult with a physician and review any applicable institutional policies before attempting these exercises.
Practice Healthy Radiographer® Daily Exercises*
Cat and Cow
Enhances spinal flexibility and alleviates back tension.
Prone Press-Up
- Reduces pressure on spinal discs
- Reverses lumbar flexion from prolonged leaning or lifting
- Promotes spinal mobility and helps prevent lower back pain
Bird Dog
Promotes core stability and spinal alignment during lifting or reaching.
Shoulder Rotation
Reinforces control of the shoulder during pushing, pulling, and lifting tasks
*The following presentation is for informational purposes only. This material was created in collaboration with Kolber Consulting Group, LLC for general educational purposes, demonstrating both techniques that are recommended and techniques that are not recommended. There is no guarantee that other clinicians will achieve the intended results and performance. Clinicians should consult with a physician and review any applicable institutional policies before attempting these exercises.
Innovations
What is a Healthy Radiographer® Platform?
- A radiography system that's a caregiver-first solution
- Eases the physical load of moving the tube head and detector(s)
- Enhances workflow accuracy
- Supports radiographers in doing what they do best: delivering high quality radiographs while protecting their own health
Addresses:
- Awkward postures
- Repetitive movements
- Forceful exertions (patients and equipment)
See the Healthy Radiographer™ Platform in action.
OMNERA® 500A
Articles
| Title | Author | File |
|---|---|---|
| Define ergonomics vs body mechanics | The Centers for Advanced Orthopaedics | Link |
| Strategies for Optimizing Staff Safety in a Radiology Department | RadioGraphics | Link |
| Workplace injury/illness data from CDC | CDC | Link |
| Occupational Injuries Involving Medical Imaging and Rad Therapy Professionals | American Society of Radiologic Technologists | Link |
| Medical imaging vacancy rates | Radiology Business | Link |
| Rad Tech job outlook from 2023 to 2033 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | Link |
| Long work hours, irregular shifts and worker fatigue | U.S. Department of Labor | Link |
| Awkward posture. Deviation from the natural or ―neutral position of a body part | Department of Health and Human Services | Link |
| Direct and indirect costs associated with only back injuries in the healthcare industry are estimated to be $20 billion annually. | U.S. Department of Labor | Link |
| Underreporting of Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Health Care Workers | ResearchGate | Link |
| Individual and organizational factors associated with injury history and patient handling behaviors: Results from a nationwide survey of healthcare workers | ScienceDirect | Link |
Events
Request a Healthy Radiographer CE Presentation in your department or a local meeting.
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