Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI)
What is RSI?
This is also termed Cumulative Trauma disorder and Occupational Overuse Syndrome. Tissue damage results from the repetitive demand over time on the affected tissues. This can be caused by occupational, recreational and habitual activities. The areas affected can be anywhere in the body that suffers from over use. The commonest areas however are in the wrist, elbows and shoulders.
These conditions can have other names as well, such as tennis elbow or golfers elbow, depending on what part of the body is affected.
Who gets RSI?
Any one whose occupation may involve repeated movement at a particular site of the body. The carpenter, for example, who is regularly manually tightening screws into material such as wood. Here the pain and damage is often in the elbow. Another example may be the typist who is constantly using a keyboard. The symptoms of pain and dysfunction in this case may be the wrist or elbow.
Symptoms
Pain is the most common symptom, which tends to spread over several areas, rather than just one specific one. Pain in the arm is commonly complained of, but it has also been reported in the back, shoulders, wrists and hands. The pain is worse on activity. Mild immobility can also occur.
Upon physical examination, there can be tenderness of an area elicited and diminished performance on effort based tests, such as gripping. There are no objective radiological or electro physical signs noted in this condition.
General Treatments
Treatment often consists of judiciously resting the affected area, sometimes with the aid of a splint. Cold application can also sometimes help. Mild anti-inflammatory medication may also be beneficial. Occasionally steroid injections into the affected joint can prove beneficial.
Adapting the work environment, i.e. PC position, desk height, chair type and support, mouse etc. Fitting these to the worker rather than fitting the worker to the job can help reduce the incidence of RSI. Taking regular and adequate rest periods from work, especially when working on the PC. A variety of user- friendly mice and keyboards are also widely available which can help.
Complementary Therapy Treatments
Physical therapies such as Bowen, massage, and osteopathy may help by relaxing the injured tissues and also improving mobility and the blood supply to the affected area which speeds up healing.
If you would like to know more about how the Earlsdon Practice can help you contact us here at the Earlsdon Practice by completing the form on our contact page