Occupational radiation exposure among orthopaedic surgeons: assessment of awareness and practices and a need for heath promotional approach

In medicine, radio-diagnosis and imaging is one of the vital tools used for the diagnostic purposes. In orthopaedics, the use of different imaging modalities such as radiography, computer tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasonography are common. In orthopaedic surgeries the use of intraoperative fluroscopy with C-arm is no doubt a beneficial technology but it comes with the occupational hazard of radiation exposure to not only the surgeon but also other OT personnel. The use of fluoroscopy has increased tremendously in field of orthopedics. The image intensifiers have enabled orthopaedic surgeons to become technically more proficient and decrease the morbidity of the patient by minimizing area of operative field and decreasing operative time. A regular C-arm exposes the patient to approximately 1,200 to 4,000 mrem/min. The surgeon may receive exposure to the hands from the ABSTRACT