RSI

A repetitive strain injury (RSI) is also known as cumulative trauma disorder (CTD) or occupational overuse syndrome as well as work related upper limb disorder (WRULD). It refers to any of a loose group of conditions resulting from overuse of a tool, e.g. computer, guitar or knife, or any other activity that requires repeated movements.

This is a syndrome that affects muscles, tendons and nerves in the hands, arms and upper back. The medically accepted condition in which it occurs is when muscles in these areas are kept tense for very long periods of time, due to poor posture and/or repetitive motions.

In many cases RSI can be referred to as an upper limb disorder. The reason for this is because the condition generally involves the upper part of the body, which includes the forearm, elbow, wrist, hand and neck. When symptoms of this disorder start to manifest they usually do in the form of painful and tingling or swollen hands, elbows, wrists or shoulders. When symptoms such as these start to persist it is important that you seek treatment quickly as the sooner the treatment is started the better chance you have of recovery.

At first the symptoms that you suffer may only occur when you are carrying out the task that caused them in the first place but they will generally ease of when you stop. However these symptoms will persist and over time they will be present even when you aren’t carrying out the task that causes them.

The symptoms that are associated with RSI can range from mild to severe. In a lot of cases however if prevention and treatment measures are taken the symptoms of RSI will start to ease.

RSI is a disorder that is often split into two categories, which are type 1 and type 2. Type one includes syndromes such as carpal tunnel syndrome, which is pain and compression in the wrist, tendonitis, which is the inflammation of a tendon and tenosynovitis, which is the inflammation of a tendon sheath. Most of these syndromes are due to and made worse by carrying out repetitive tasks. Type two however caters for symptoms of RSI that don’t fit into those of a syndrome. In these cases there are also no signs such as swelling or problems with nerve function.