Repetitive strain injuries

The musculoskeletal system consists of the muscles, bones, joints, tendons, and ligaments. Disorders related to the musculoskeletal system often are classified by etiology. Acute soft-tissue injuries include strains and sprains of muscles and ligaments. Repeated movements in sports, exercise, work, or activities of daily living may lead to repetitive strain injury, where cumulative damage occurs to the muscles, ligaments, or tendons.1-3 While tendonitis and bursitis can arise from acute injury, more commonly these conditions occur as a result of chronic stress.3,4 Other forms of chronic musculoskeletal pain, such as pain from rheumatoid arthritis (see Chap. 54) or osteoarthritis (see Chap. 55), are discussed elsewhere in this text. 

The primary adverse effects associated with chronic, excess fluoride intake are skeletal, and dental or enamel, fluorosis. Other effects, including hypersensitivity reactions, renal insufficiency, immunological effects, possible association with repetitive strain injury, birth defects and cancer have been observed and discussed [17,41-45]. 

Muscular pain and discomfort in wrist resulting from repetitive strain injury are referred to as work-related myalgia (WRM). A P MRS study in a group of 18 women with WRM showed earlier onset of the rapid phase of pHi decline and log([Pi]/[PCr]) in the WRM group. The data... 

Workplace design to prevent repetitive strain injury should be directed toward fulfiUing the following recommendations ... 

The most important area of wheelchair design and prescription is determining the proper interaction between the wheelchair and the user. This can lead to reducing the risk of developing repetitive strain injury while maximizing mobility. Cardiovascular fitness can be improved through exercise which requires a properly fitted wheelchair. 

Repetitive Strain Injury—A broad and generic term that encompasses a variety of injuries resulting from cumulative trauma to the soft tissues of the body. 

The development of Repetitive Strain Injury symptoms due to prolonged... 

Example of a Placebo Effect. Due to an increasing prevalence of repetitive strain injury in a telecommunications firm, the management agreed to purchase new keyboards for one division. A survey of employee upper extremity symptoms was conducted the week before the keyboards were introduced and then three weeks afterwards. Everyone was pleased to find a significant decrease in reported symptoms between the before and after measurements. Management was on the verge of purchasing the same keyboards for a second division, but there was concern about a placebo effect of the new keyboard [p. 25]. 

Injuries related to stripping activities have been reduced as shown in Figure 8. Of the injuries still incurred, a reduction in repetitive strain injuries has been achieved. 

The topic of ergonomics and MSD (musculoskeletal disorders), or repetitive strain injuries, over the past eight years has been high on the list of... 

Biodynamic models of the human musculoskeletal system have direct implications on device tool design and use and the modeling of normal and/or abnormal (or undesired) movements or movement patterns (the techniques with which a device or tool is used). Applications of the models can provide a better understanding for soft and hard tissue injuries, such as repetitive strain injuries (RSI), and can be used to identify and predict the extent of a musculoskeletal injury (Peterson, 1999). 

Repeated flexing of the wrist can injure the tendons, tendon sheaths, muscles, ligaments, joints and nerves of the hand and forearm. These repetitive strain injuries commonly occur in occupations involving repeated hand-wrist deviations (e.g., keyboard and computer operators), and frequently involve nerve compression at the wrist (e.g., carpal tunnel syndrome) (Chemiack, 1999). 

A repetitive strain injury. It is caused by compression of the median nerve in the carpal tunnel. Often associated with tingling, pain, or numbness in the thumb and first three fingers. Carpal Hinnel Syndrome is the number one reported medical problem, accounting for about 50 percent of all work-related injuries. Carpal tunnel syndrome results in the highest number of days lost among all work-related injuries in the United States. Almost half of the carpal tunnel cases result in 31 days or more of work loss per the National Center for Health Statistics. 

An injury or illness of soft tissues of the fingers, upper arms, shoulders and neck, lower back, or legs that is primarily caused or exacerbated by workplace risk factors such as sustained and repeated exertions or awkward postures and manipulations. Administrative controls for MSD hazards include employee rotation, job task enlargement, alternative tasks, and employer-authorized changes in work pace. Work practice controls for MSD hazards include use of neutral postures to perform tasks (straight wrists, lifting close to the body), use of two-person lift teams, and observance of micro breaks. See also Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI). 

A work-related musculoskeletal disorder is an injury to the muscles, tendons, and/ or nerves of the upper body either caused or aggravated by work. Other names used to describe work-related musculoskeletal disorders include repetitive motion injuries, repetitive strain injuries, cumulative trauma disorders, soft tissue disorders, and overuse syndromes. Work-related musculoskeletal injuries (MSIs) affecting the upper body and limbs are now recognized as one of the leading causes of worker pain and disability. 

An automatic pressure-relieving device actuated by the pressure upstream of the valve and characterized by opening pop action with further increase in lift with an increase in pressure over popping pressure. See also Pressure Relief Device. Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI)... 

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), repetitive strain injuries are the most common and costly occupational health problem, affecting hundreds of thousands of American workers, and costing more than 20 billion a year in workers compensation. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, nearly two-thirds of aU occupational illnesses reported were caused by exposure to repeated trauma to workers upper body (the wrist, elbow, or shoulder). One common example of such an injury is carpal tunnel syndrome. Replacement Air... 

Where continued repetitive movement or handling causes pain - called repetitive strain injury (RSI) or work related upper limb disorder (WRULD) - the rhythm or routine of the work should be changed or arrangements made for a rotation between different jobs. If condition persists seek medical advice. 

The need of muscular strength for crushing RSI (repetitive strain injury) problems may occur in nursery homes if caregivers have to crush tablets for many patients. 

Repetitive strain injuries cost U.S. businesses more than f 1 billion annually. 

Repetitive Strain Injury—Injury caused by repeated strains. 

Before we address some of the above questions in more detail here are two examples, if any are needed, which demonstrate that premium incentives do sometimes generate real safety improvements. In 1981-82, Repco in Launceston experienced 22 claims for RSI—repetition strain injury (Dunstone 1985, pp. 151-3). As a result its compensation premium jumped from 123 000 to 310 000, an almost threefold increase. This dramatic increase focussed management attention wonderfully on the problem of RSI. Repco accepted that the injuries were real and preventable, contrary to the approach taken by some employers, and set about solving the problem. It identified incorrect movements made by machine operators, trained its employees and introduced job rotation and exercise programs. The result was a major reduction in the number of new claims and a reduction in the premium over the next four years to close to its original level. 

A very similar story could be told in relation to the epidemic of RSI (repetition strain injury) which occurred in Australia in the 1980s. One response by employers and their insurers was to contest claims on the grounds that RSI was not a medically known condition, or that if it was it was not work-related (Hopkins 1989b). In one celebrated case in 1987 the federal taxation department won a... 

Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI). Injury due to overstressing by constant repetition of a movement, or prolonged holding of a limb in an unnatural position. Chronic pain or loss of mobility may result. 

RSBN. Reaction sintered boron nitride. RSI. Repetitive Strain Injury (q.v.). 

Another example was the onset of what became known as RSI, repetitive strain injury and later as overuse injury. The disorder resulted from our lack of understanding and management of the opportunities to be had from computing. 

Musculoskeletal damage can particularly affect the lower back, neck and shoulders. Occupational overuse syndrome, OOS (repetition strain injury), is generally a result of fine repetitive work involving the hand and wrists. It can involve inflammation of the tendons of the wrists and hands (tenosynovitis), or squeezing (due to inflammation) of the tendons and nerves entering the hand (carpal tunnel syndrome). Other types of OOS exist and can also involve the nervons system. Slips, trips and falls are other obvious sources of sprains and strains of mnscles and joints. 

RSI (repetitive strain injury) refers to the cause being repetitive work, but the causes of the syndrome are broader than that and can include chronic muscular overloading with perhaps a psychological aspect as well. 

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