MSD Risk in Sonography: Do Patient Size, Scan Time, and Scan Location Matter?
Details and Registration: For more info & to register:
Webinar Hosted by the Centre of Research Expertise for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders (CRE-MSD) at the University of Waterloo
Thursday, November 12, 2026
12:00-1:00 pm ET
In this webinar
Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) are a common concern in healthcare, and sonographers are at particularly high risk. Sonographers hold awkward postures, make repetitive motions, and apply sustained hand force through the transducer to obtain high-quality images. With rising obesity rates, patient size has been proposed as another contributor, but its effect on sonographers is not well understood. This webinar is intended for sonographers, department leads, ergonomists, and health and safety professionals who want to understand where the greatest upper extremity demands lie.
This webinar will share findings from a study that used digital human modelling to examine how patient size, scan location and scan time affect the physical demands placed on sonographers. The study looked at a range of patient sizes and common scan locations, including the breast, kidney, shoulder and leg. Results showed that scan location and scan duration had the greatest impact on physical demands, while patient size had comparatively little influence.
Attendees will learn which scanning situations place the greatest demands on the upper body and why scan time matters. This work highlights the value of digital human modelling and simulation as a starting point for better understanding physical demands and identifying opportunities in work practices, equipment and scheduling to reduce MSD risk.
Registration
This is a free webinar. Please register to reserve your spot. For assistance, please contact Betina Butler at bbutler@uwaterloo.ca.
Note: This is not Sonography Canada event. Participants may claim 1 Self-Directed Relevant to Practice CPD credit for completion of this activity.
