What are repetitive strain injuries?

Repetitive strain injuries (RSIs) are the bane of the modern workplace – despite all of the efforts to curtail them.

RSIs occur from the constant movement and overuse of certain body parts, and they can manifest in chronic pain and long-term health issues when they go untreated. Some of the most common include:

Carpal tunnel syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome involves the compression of the median nerve running from the forearm to the palm at the worker’s wrist. Symptoms include numbness and tingling in the thumb, index and middle finger, and affected workers often have weakness in their hands and difficulty grasping small objects.

Tendonitis

Tendonitis is essentially inflammation of the tissue connecting muscle to bone in any part of the body, but it is especially common in workers’ shoulders and wrists. Swelling, pain and restriction of movement can become real issues for an affected worker.

Tennis elbow

Tennis elbow is a specific type of tendonitis that is caused by overuse of the arm, forearm and hand muscles. It’s as common in people who work with keyboards as it is those who work with hand tools. Pain and burning on the outer part of the elbow is an early sign, which can lead to weakened grip in a worker’s hands. 

Bursitis

Bursitis is an inflammation in the small fluid-filled scas that cushion bones and tendons near a worker’s joints, especially hips and knees. Repetitive kneeling, bending and squatting can lead to swelling and stiffness in the affected joints, as well as chronic pain.

Back strain

Back strain is much more common than many people realize – and office workers can suffer from it just as easily as gardeners. Whether a worker is constantly hunched over a desk or lifting bags of mulch on a regular basis, back strain can lead to problems sitting, standing and walking.

If you’re suffering from repetitive strain injuries, don’t let your employer talk you into believing that it’s not a valid injury for workers’ compensation. An injury doesn’t have to be from a sudden accident to qualify for benefits.