Endoscopists experience upper extremity musculoskeletal injuries. The primary aim of this study was to compare distal upper extremity biomechanical risk factors during colonoscopy...
Gastroenterologists are at increased risk for developing recurrent thumb, hand, and elbow pain due to colonoscopy procedures. We evaluated forearm muscle loads and wrist postures during routine colonoscopy (N=12 gastroenterologists) to understand distal upper extremity musculoskeletal risk factors associated with the 4 different subtasks of colonoscopy. Bilateral forearm extensor carpiradialis (ECR) and flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) surface electromyography and bilateral wrist postures were recorded continuously. The mean duration of colonoscopy was 24.2 (± 12.1) minutes and...