Abstract
Tom's comments are very timely since RSIs, or work-related upper limb disorders (WRULDs) seem to trouble a large proportion of the ultrasound workforce. Various organizations, research teams and individuals have investigated them and their relationship with sonography practice over the years and have offered numerous recommendations, some of which have been published in Ultrasound. Arguably, some of the problems highlighted by Tom can be solved by changing, when necessary, from a sitting to a standing position to scan. Certainly, I automatically stand up when I can't reach easily, and always have done so but can this technique alone protect me from developing WRULDs? Perhaps not. Maybe the time has come to investigate carefully the proportion of the workforce who remain unaffected. What do we have in common? Are there distinct differences in our practice or are we just fit/lucky/or born with the arms of a gibbon? Tom's idea of changing completely the position in which sonographers work is radical, novel and definitely worth exploring, although problems with scanning inpatient lists, where the patient remains in his bed, will not be solved so easily by equipment changes and floating table tops. Furthermore, as Tom suggests, what works for some practitioners may not work for all; for example, which way round do you do your carotids and why? However, if this method benefits only a small proportion of the workforce, then it is of enormous value. Unless we try it out we simply won't know.