Work-related musculoskeletal pain and disorders among ultrasound practitioners in Saudi Arabia: A cross sectional study

Background: work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSKDs) in ultrasound (US) imaging become common because different US tests need US practitioners to conduct different physical activities and movements. Consequently, physically exposed US practitioners acquire certain pains and injuries in the shoulders, neck, back, hands, wrists, elbows, and others. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used. A total of 222 US practitioners from governmental, private, and educational hospitals across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) were enrolled during the period from January to March 2020. Data was collected using an online electronic questionnaire distributed via social media applications. Result: The age of the participants ranges from 25 to 56 years. There were 81 (36.48%) male and 141 (63.51%) female participants. Around 57% of participants were working on general ultrasound imaging and cardiovascular imaging, 82% of participants had been working on the same technique for a long time, examining 11-20 patients per day and feeling pain at around the middle of their working shift. Moreover, 78% of participants were suffering from WRMSDs. Ultimately, 60% of participants used rest, medication, and physiotherapy sessions as treatments. A strong correlation was found between the examination time, working hours, and type of examination with WRMSKD (P<0.001). Conclusion: The finding of this study conclude WRMSKDS are the major problem among Saudi sonographers and would contribute to reduces the WRMSKDs by applying effectives methods for safe working setting and to achieving healthy life for sonographers as well as to enhance the performance.