The Avenue Forward: What Can We Do About Orthopedic Injury and Pain?-Slides: Fit to Perform: Physical Therapy Tools to Prevent and Treat Musculoskeletal Injury, Drs. Lee Chuy and Wright

Slides: Fit to Perform: Physical Therapy Tools to Prevent and Treat Musculoskeletal Injury, Drs. Lee Chuy and Wright

Pdf Summary

This document addresses the prevalence and prevention of musculoskeletal injuries among interventional cardiologists working in catheterization (cath) labs, focusing on the physical challenges and therapeutic exercises to maintain musculoskeletal health.<br /><br />Workers in cath labs often wear heavy lead aprons (weighing about 15 pounds), which can exert up to 300 pounds of pressure on intervertebral discs. They also spend prolonged periods in awkward, non-ergonomic postures, such as neck rotation (36%), cervical flexion (16%), and thoracic flexion (6%). Insufficient recovery time between procedures and cumulative strain over years contribute to musculoskeletal injuries. As a result, 50-60% of cath lab staff report pain or orthopedic injuries, with 20-30% limiting their procedures or missing work due to these conditions.<br /><br />Common postural issues include forward head posture, extended and flared shoulders, and lumbar rounding, leading to uneven loading, disc compression, rotator cuff injury, and muscle atrophy, especially in the psoas and gluteus minimus.<br /><br />The document advocates for a “Lead-Proof” body by correcting and maintaining neck, scapular (shoulder blade), and posterior chain alignment. Key components of correction include strengthening muscles to support proper posture: neck (cervical retractions, rotations, tilts), scapula (wall angels, banded scapular retractions), rotator cuff (internal/external rotations, shoulder rotations, Palloff press), posterior chain (hip hinge, banded side steps, glute bridges), and core muscles (bird dogs, dead bugs). Recommended routines involve 3 sets of 10-20 repetitions.<br /><br />By building strength and endurance in these muscle groups, interventional cardiologists can maintain alignment, reduce injury risk, and improve fatigue resistance during demanding lab procedures. The document concludes with an exercise regimen summary aimed at sustaining musculoskeletal health in cath lab professionals.

Keywords

musculoskeletal injuries

interventional cardiologists

catheterization labs

lead aprons

non-ergonomic posture

postural correction exercises

neck and scapular alignment

rotator cuff strengthening

posterior chain exercises

occupational health in cath labs