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Easier and Less Painful Scanning with One Simple Item

10/16/2015

4 Comments

 
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​This little item is officially called an Ultrasound Cable Brace, but I like to introduce it as my Snazzy-Blue-Velcro-Thingy.

I first began using this nifty gadget when I was an ultrasound student and it has become my little buddy over the years, seeing me through the thick and thin of ultrasound cases and not once letting me down!

All about the cable brace

​The Snazzy-Blue-Velcro-Thingy... um.. Cable Brace is meant to hold the weight of the transducer cable higher up on your arm to prevent "cable-related wrist strain and torsion" (I used an official statement there to show you how seriously great it is).

​When I use it I hardly feel the weight of the cable. But when scanning without it I constantly feel the pull of the transducer cable on my wrist. Not pleasant and once you know how it feels to have a light free wrist, you curse the days you forget to bring your blue buddy to work!

HOW IT WORKS

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It's terrifically easy to use. Just slip it over your hand and cinch it snugly to your arm using the adjustable velcro band.

I've seen people wear it on their forearm, but I prefer it up higher, just past my elbow on my upper arm. Keep it all most all day and once you're ready to start a scan, you slip the transducer cord into the exterior Velcro flap (the non-adjustable side) and secure it there with a bit of slack.

​Now your upper arm is supporting the majority of the weight of the cord, keeping your hand and wrist free.

WHY I RECOMMEND IT

​I've used a cable brace for over three years now, every day, every scan (except for EVs) and I recommend it to everyone for two big reasons.

1. It keeps the weight of the transducer cord off the wrist and hand which helps prevent injuries and pain. (My wrist never hurts, I can't say this enough times!)

2. It keeps the cord out of the jell! No more goopy wet cords to manage! (Actually, this is so awesome it might need to be the number 1 reason.)

And actually it's also a great conversation starter. Just try and go a day without talking about it. It's hard, you'll see. 

How to try one for yourself

If you're interested in buying a cable brace they are available in the USA through www.soundergonomics.com and in Canada through www.coneinstruments.com (visit their pricing page and give them a call at their 1-800 number for shipping to Canada).

So far it’s been difficult to find a one click easy ordering option for Cable Braces in Canada, but I am working with some companies and will update this post when I know more. I originally got my Snazzy-blue-velcro-thingy at an Ultrasound Conference in the US.

Just so you know, I only recommend products that I have tried and believe strongly are a worthy item to promote. This blue buddy just makes life easier. It also makes a great addition to an ultrasound department, so why not purchase an extra one for general use? Then any interested tech can try it out and see how it works for them.
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Happy pain-free scanning!
4 Comments
Melody
11/18/2015 03:12:36 pm

Hi Tatym,

Thank you so much for establishing this blog. It really helps me a lot understanding the ultrasound career and made me even more passionate to become one in the very soon future! I am giving myself a year to prepare the best I can to enroll in the sonography program in BCIT. However there is a big concern that holds me back a little every time.

I had done a lot of research on the career and found out a research saying that 84% of the sonographers scan in pain and one of every five of them sustains a career-ending injury. Is that true? I have a small built and am only 5ft 2, do I have a higher risk in getting injured in the sonography field? Do I have a chance to be that 16% people that scan without pain and injuries? Or am I just simply not suitable to become a sonographer?

Thank you Tatym, I am determined in becoming a sonographe as my lifelong career. However after knowing the high risk in getting injuries in this field, I'm not sure if my decision is wise enough.

Reply
Tatym
11/24/2015 04:23:40 pm

Hi Melody,
Thanks for your comments, it's nice to know that I'm able to help others understand ultrasound a bit better.
As for your concern about scanning injuries, yes a lot of techs scan in pain, some of it mild and easily resolved with stretching, some of it serious that causes time off from their career.
I can't tell you how high your risk is, it all depends how well you follow the ergonomics, how much you take care of yourself and how heavy the workload is at your site.
I can tell you only what works for me in preventing pain, keeping fit and strong, exercising regularly, weight training, daily stretching and listening to my body so I stop a bad posture before it has a chance to become worse.
Like any career, ultrasound has it's risks. You could develop pain from both a sedentary desk job or an active training job, everything has a risk to it. It just needs to be managed as best as possible.
Good luck with your career path, I wish you all the best.
Tatym

Reply
Joanna
12/4/2015 05:59:33 am

I'm new to the field of sonography and glad I found this post in the beginning of my studies. I think job related injuries are often overlooked. I certainly didn't think much about the issues in ultrasound but your post gives me a heads up on what to expect and pay attention to. I'm going to look into the blue velcro band. Thanks for this!

Reply
Imaging Central link
6/2/2018 12:14:36 am

The blog is wonderful! This will help everyone to know about Ultrasound and it will also help to the people who are thinking of making their career in Ultrasound. Thank you for sharing this wonderful Information.

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