Repetitive strain injury and the conditions that cause them.

September 18th, 2009

I just want to clear up a little bit of confusion about what  RSI is. The first point I will clear up is the fact that the same condition comes under many other names. Some of these include RSI which stands both for repetitive stress injury and repetitive strain injury. It can also be known as occupational overuse syndrome (OOS) cumulative trauma disorder (CTD) work related upper limb disorder (WRULD) and non-specific arm pain.

Remember that RSI is basically an umbrella term for many localized injuries or conditions and that it is very common for a person suffering from repetitive stress injury to be suffering from more than one of the following conditions at any one time. Some of the more common conditions that fall under the RSI umbrella are:-

  •        Carpal tunnel syndrome
  •        Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
  •        Intersection syndrome
  •        Stenosing tenosynovitis
  •        Radial tunnel syndrome
  •        Tendonitis
  •        Trigger finger/thumb
  •        Tennis/golfers elbow

It is widely accepted that the best results are achieved by treating repetitive stress injury as a single general disorder.

I just found a very interesting site for RSI treatment. Expensive but looks goog so far.

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Repetitive Stress Injury

September 2nd, 2009

Repetitive stress injury comes as a direct result of your movements and posture from both your daily life and your work environment. It is the overuse of precise body parts while undertaking some sort of constant or repetitive activity.

Repetitive stress injury is not actually a specific disease but rather a loose group of other more specific conditions. Please read the post – Repetitive strain injury – for more info on the conditions that make RSI.

Because a lot of these conditions are so interrelated it is common that someone suffering from repetitive stress injury actual has many of these conditions at any one time. That is why it is best to treat RSI as a single general disorder.
There is also a flow on affect from treating all of the major areas effected by RSI that helps to ensure better and longer lasting results.

The main damage from RSI is to your nerves, muscles and tendons of the hand, neck, shoulder, arms, forearm, upper back, elbow, lower back and legs which can give you pain, numbness, weakness or could even impair motor control in those areas. Stress is also considered a major factor as it helps to tighten muscles and restrict blood flow.

Some of the symptoms of a repetitive stress injury include tightness, pain, burning, stiffness, swelling, coldness, numbness or tingling, pain in the upper back, shoulders or neck and hypersensitivity. These symptoms may spread through various body parts. Starting with a stiff neck or numb fingers and moving up or down through the extremities. RSI symptoms standing by themselves do not always mean that the health condition lies in the area where you are feeling the pain or numbness. For example:- numbness in the hand may be the result of pinched nerves in your shoulder or neck.

RSI is not something that will be cured or prevented with drugs or even surgery. Dont get me wrong, they can work but if you take drugs that mask the pain and continue to do the activity causing the problem you are speeding up the damage. Surgery can be very effective but then people return to the very task that caused the repetitive stress injury in the first place.

If you are experiencing any form of repetitive stress injury, it is vital for you to make an appointment with a physician that has experience with dealing with RSI.

The best results are achieved by understanding the causes of RSI and taking a proactive approach to both heal any existing damage as well as too prevent any further injury. The combination of eliminating exposure to harmful work practices and stress as well as the use of specific targeted stretching; self massage, diet and exercise are your key to a RSI free life.

I will explore some prevention and treatment options in an up coming post.

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repetitive stress injury working as a checkout operator in a very busy supermarket?

September 18th, 2009

there is a lot of punching in codes every few seconds .which resulted in very bad pains in my fingers upper arm and shoulder i developed a lump on my shoulder .i have been told it is not work related i have never suffered with any pains in my arm before i work there for 3 years when the pains started. any one have the same problem. had to retire on medical grounds they never offered to rehabilitate me back to work .which is in my contract.any advice please

Who told you it wasn’t work related? Your doctor? If so, what did he say did cause it? If it really isn’t work-related, I doubt if your employer would have any liability, I’m afraid. Usually any rehabilitation scheme, if there is one, is only for those injured in work (like a warehouse man, for instance, falling off a set of steps & hurting himself).

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Ways to recovers and heal from my repetitive stress injury?

September 18th, 2009

About a year and a half ago I got a repetitive stress injury in my right wrist. I got it from playing Virtual Fighter 5 on the PlayStation 3. I was getting really good it it too, but then I got my injury and I had to stop! My wrist has gotten a lot better since then but it still has not fully recovered, I got a few questions…

1. I ice my wrist twice a day; once in the morning and once at night. And I lightly wear my wrist brace. Is there anything else I have to do?

2. I can’t do normal push ups but with a set of handle bars I can do some half push ups. Should I stop? I used to be worried about losing strength but I did anyway and on top of that my wrist isn’t even healed…

2b. I still get on the computer a lot. My dad suggested to stay off the computer as well as the video games. Should I? There’s nothing to do where I live.

2c. I actually still get on the PlayStation. But I play slow pace games like Romance of the Three Kingdoms. And I hold my controller carefully. Is this also part of it?

3. What are some exercises that can help my wrist? After doing a quick Google Search I found this: http://www.handhealthresources.com/Solutions%20Pages/Exercises.htm Haven’t read it all yet but it seems to be good. Most websites want to sell me a guide or a pill to heal my wrist other than just telling me how, that’s really annoying.

4. Why does everyone assume masturbation when I talk about my wrist, is it a common cause?

But my wrist has gotten a lot better, it doesn’t really hurt or anything so I often forget to ice it and wear my wrist brace. It only hurts when I press on it, like trying to do a normal push up.

It sounds like a nerve problem. Muscle can be an issue as well. Even though your wrist feels better, it doesn’t mean it is.

I suggest seeing a doctor that specializes in this. They can give you advise and exercises (maybe a prescription) on how to fully recover and get back to fully doing the things you normally like to do.

Don’t let this become a permanent injury.

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What is the most likely repetitive stress injury you will get?

September 18th, 2009


Sore finger from clicking my mouse all day

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