Necessity: The Mother of Invention

The idea for ApronMount was born from personal experiences. Early in my career, I experienced debilitating back pain from wearing lead aprons during long procedures. This pain was a stark contrast to my experiences hiking in the Adirondack Park, where I routinely carried heavy backpacks (30-40 pounds) filled with survival gear.

In the wilderness, I learned the value of a backpack with a hip belt that transfers most of the weight to the hips, bypassing the delicate structures of the spinal column. This principle inspired the creation of ApronMount, which achieves the same function even more effectively. By transferring all the weight of the lead apron to a hip belt, ApronMount eliminates the strain on the spine, allowing healthcare professionals to work pain-free and with improved mobility.

Join the movement towards pain-free protection and experience the difference with ApronMount.

Recent Research: Lead Aprons and Occupational Injuries

  • General Findings:

    • Wearing lead aprons during medical procedures significantly increases the risk of musculoskeletal disorders, particularly back and spinal issues.

    • Injury rates correlate with years of apron use and total hours spent wearing lead protection weekly.

  • Interventional Cardiology:

    • Nearly half (49.4%) of interventional cardiologists reported at least one orthopedic injury, including lumbar spine problems (34.4%) and cervical spine disease (24.7%).

    • Orthopedic injury incidence strongly correlates with age and cumulative procedural caseload, demonstrating a clear occupational link to wearing heavy lead aprons.

    • Over one-third of cardiologists with spine issues reported missing work due to injury​​​.

  • Interventional Radiology:

    • Radiologists wearing lead aprons more than 10 hours weekly had higher rates of back pain compared to those with less exposure, indicating cumulative harm from prolonged apron use.

    • Studies demonstrate lead aprons can place pressure up to 300 pounds per square inch on spinal disks, significantly raising the risk of chronic pain and injury​.

  • Electrophysiology:

    • A significantly higher prevalence of cervical spondylosis (20.7%) in interventional electrophysiologists compared to non-interventional cardiologists (5.5%), directly linking prolonged lead apron use to spinal degeneration and injury.

    • Lumbar spondylosis was also notably higher among electrophysiologists (25.9%), highlighting occupational risks from long hours standing in lead gear​.

  • Surgeons & Physicians:

    • Physicians who specialize in invasive procedures (e.g., interventional cardiology, vascular surgery, orthopedic surgery) report disabling conditions directly attributed to the physical strain of wearing heavy lead aprons.

    • Notable legal disability cases underscore apron-related injuries, explicitly recognizing orthopedic limitations due to mandatory use of lead protection as a basis for total occupational disability​.

  • Technicians and Nursing Staff:

    • Nursing and technical staff frequently report chronic back pain and severe injuries related to repetitive tasks performed under the strain of lead apron weight.

    • Personal accounts from healthcare workers indicate that lead apron use can significantly impact their career longevity, with serious cases leading to permanent disability and forced career changes​.

  • Risks of "Lightweight" Lead Aprons:

    • Studies have shown lightweight and non-lead aprons, although advertised as safer alternatives, often underperform significantly, offering less protection while still posing substantial musculoskeletal risk due to their weight and poor ergonomic design.

    • Independent tests indicate these aprons frequently transmit significantly more radiation than labeled, thus failing to mitigate both radiation exposure and musculoskeletal risk adequately​.

  • Recommendations:

    • It is critical to use ergonomically designed apron support systems or alternatives to traditional lead aprons to reduce these health risks.

    • Regular ergonomic assessments and proactive interventions, including reduced apron wear time, are recommended to mitigate injury risks.

ApronMount: Revolutionizing Radiation Protection

ApronMount is an innovative solution designed to alleviate the burden of heavy lead aprons worn by medical professionals in radiology, cardiology, and interventional specialties. Our patented technology effectively transfers the weight of protective garments to a hip belt, eliminating strain on the spine and reducing the risk of musculoskeletal injuries.

Key Benefits:

  • Removes lead apron weight from your neck, shoulders, and spine

  • Reduces back and neck strain associated with wearing lead aprons

  • Creates ventilation between your body and your lead apron

  • Effective and affordable protection for the entire team

ApronMount is transforming how medical teams approach radiation safety. Join the movement toward pain-free protection and experience the difference in your daily practice.

Protect your body. Protect your team. Protect your future with ApronMount.