ERGONOMICS ERGONOMICS of Dissectionof Dissection

Presented by: Presented by: Patrick TafoyaPatrick TafoyaDirector of Educational ServicesDirector of Educational Services

Medical Hair RestorationMedical Hair Restoration

Orlando, FloridaOrlando, Florida

ERGONOMICS...ERGONOMICS...

The term “ergonomics” is derived The term “ergonomics” is derived from two Greek words: “from two Greek words: “ergonergon”, ”, meaning work and “meaning work and “nomoinomoi”, meaning ”, meaning natural laws.natural laws.

Ergonomics is the study of human Ergonomics is the study of human capabilities in relationship to work capabilities in relationship to work demands.demands.

Ergonomic PrinciplesErgonomic Principles

All work activities should permit the All work activities should permit the worker to adopt several different, but worker to adopt several different, but equally healthy and safe postures.equally healthy and safe postures.

Where muscular force has to be exerted it Where muscular force has to be exerted it should be done by the largest appropriate should be done by the largest appropriate muscle groups available.muscle groups available.

Work activities should be performed with Work activities should be performed with the joints at about the joints at about mid-pointmid-point of their range of their range of movement. This applies particularly to of movement. This applies particularly to the head, trunk, and the head, trunk, and upper limbsupper limbs. .

THE PROBLEM...THE PROBLEM...

In order to put these recommendations In order to put these recommendations into practice, a person would have to be a into practice, a person would have to be a skilled observerskilled observer of his or her own joint and of his or her own joint and muscle functioning and would have to be muscle functioning and would have to be able to change his or her posture to a able to change his or her posture to a healthier one at will. healthier one at will.

Any attempt to improve workplace Any attempt to improve workplace conditions can have only conditions can have only limited successlimited success if if this issue is ignored. this issue is ignored.

Repetitive Motion DisordersRepetitive Motion Disorders Repetitive motion disorders (Repetitive motion disorders (RMDsRMDs) are a ) are a

family of muscular conditions that result family of muscular conditions that result from repeated motions performed in the from repeated motions performed in the course of normal work or daily activities.course of normal work or daily activities.

RMDs are caused by too many RMDs are caused by too many uninterrupted repetitionsuninterrupted repetitions of an activity or of an activity or motion, unnatural or awkward motions motion, unnatural or awkward motions such as twisting the arm or wrist, such as twisting the arm or wrist, overexertion, incorrect posture, or muscle overexertion, incorrect posture, or muscle fatigue. fatigue.

Repetitive Motion DisordersRepetitive Motion Disorders

Carpal tunnel syndromeCarpal tunnel syndrome BursitisBursitis TendonitisTendonitis EpicondylitisEpicondylitis Ganglion cystGanglion cyst TenosynovitisTenosynovitis Trigger fingerTrigger finger

Repetitive Motion DisordersRepetitive Motion Disorders

RMDs occur most commonly in the RMDs occur most commonly in the hands,hands, wrists wrists, elbows, and shoulders., elbows, and shoulders.

Over time, RMDs can cause Over time, RMDs can cause temporary or permanent damage to temporary or permanent damage to the soft tissues in the body -- such as the soft tissues in the body -- such as the the muscles, nerves, muscles, nerves, tendonstendons, and , and ligaments - and results in ligaments - and results in compression of nerves or tissue. compression of nerves or tissue.

Treatment for RMDs Treatment for RMDs usually usually includes includes reducing reducing or or stoppingstopping the the motions that cause symptoms. motions that cause symptoms.

Taking breaks Taking breaks Stretching and relaxation exercisesStretching and relaxation exercises Applying ice to the affected areaApplying ice to the affected area Medications: pain relievers, cortisone, and anti-inflammatory Medications: pain relievers, cortisone, and anti-inflammatory

drugs.drugs. Splints: relieve pressure on the muscles and nervesSplints: relieve pressure on the muscles and nerves Physical therapy: relieve the soreness and painPhysical therapy: relieve the soreness and pain In rare cases, surgery may be required to relieve symptoms In rare cases, surgery may be required to relieve symptoms

and prevent permanent damageand prevent permanent damage Developed ergonomic programs: help workers adjust their Developed ergonomic programs: help workers adjust their

pace of work and arrange office equipment to minimize pace of work and arrange office equipment to minimize problems. problems.

Without treatment, Without treatment, RMDs may result in RMDs may result in

permanent injury and permanent injury and complete loss of complete loss of

function in the affected function in the affected area.area.

100+ MHR Dissectors100+ MHR DissectorsLoupesLoupes

2003: 2003: 88 cases RMD cases RMD 2004: 2004: 55 cases RMD cases RMD 2005: 2005: 77 cases RMD cases RMD

MicroscopesMicroscopes 2006: 2006: 00 cases RMD cases RMD 2007: 2007: 00 cases RMD cases RMD 2008-Present: 2008-Present: 22 cases RMD cases RMD

(exclusive dissector and implanter)(exclusive dissector and implanter)

MicroscopyMicroscopyStandard recommendations to Standard recommendations to control hazards associated with control hazards associated with

microscopy:microscopy: Place microscope toward the edge of the Place microscope toward the edge of the

work surface to prevent a poor operating work surface to prevent a poor operating position (more upright posture). position (more upright posture).

Elevate the microscope. This can help Elevate the microscope. This can help position the operator in a more upright position the operator in a more upright posture and reduce rounding of the posture and reduce rounding of the shoulders and neck.shoulders and neck.

Maintain neutral spine. Maintain neutral spine.

MicroscopyMicroscopy Use an ergonomically designed chair that Use an ergonomically designed chair that

provides adequate back support, provides adequate back support, adjustable height, and adjustable seat adjustable height, and adjustable seat angle. angle.

Use armrests to support the operator's Use armrests to support the operator's forearms.forearms.

Avoid leaning wrists and elbows on sharp Avoid leaning wrists and elbows on sharp edges.edges.

Adequate room under the work surface so Adequate room under the work surface so the operator can pull the chair up to the the operator can pull the chair up to the ocular(s).ocular(s).

DissectionDissectionComparative views of Comparative views of

Loupes/Backlight Loupes/Backlight and and Microscopic DissectionMicroscopic Dissection

DissectionDissectionComparative views of Comparative views of

Loupes/Backlight Loupes/Backlight and and Microscopic Microscopic DissectionDissection

MicroscopyMicroscopy

Adjust the location of work and the angle of Adjust the location of work and the angle of the work piece in such a way that your the work piece in such a way that your body can maintain an unstrained, body can maintain an unstrained, comfortable position with your arms, comfortable position with your arms, forearms, and shoulders relaxed.forearms, and shoulders relaxed.

Provide footrests.Provide footrests. Provide sit-stand seats for areas where Provide sit-stand seats for areas where

there is restricted leg room. there is restricted leg room. Encourage frequent breaks as well as Encourage frequent breaks as well as

stretching exercises.stretching exercises.

InstrumentationInstrumentation

ForcepsForceps (straight vs. angled)(straight vs. angled)

Cutting BladesCutting Blades (scalpel vs. prep razors)(scalpel vs. prep razors)

DissectionDissection

The Single Edge razor provides a more natural ergonomic position of the hands and wrist.

DissectionDissection

The 45 degree Jeweler’s Forceps provides a more natural ergonomic position of the hands and wrist.

Mom Was Right … Posture IS Mom Was Right … Posture IS ImportantImportant

Poor posture (held for long periods), Poor posture (held for long periods), poorly designed work areas, poorly poorly designed work areas, poorly adjusted chairs and sustained adjusted chairs and sustained activity without breaks can all activity without breaks can all contribute to varying amounts of contribute to varying amounts of back, shoulder, and neck pain.back, shoulder, and neck pain.

A Productive PartnershipA Productive Partnership

Poor working conditions are bad news for Poor working conditions are bad news for both employees and employers—resulting both employees and employers—resulting in physical suffering and adverse in physical suffering and adverse economic impact. economic impact.

A partnership among staff, employers, and A partnership among staff, employers, and ergonomics principles can help redesign ergonomics principles can help redesign the workplace to meet the capabilities and the workplace to meet the capabilities and potential of your hair technicians.potential of your hair technicians.