Cumulative Trauma DisordersRepetitive Stress InjuriesOveruse Syndromes
Repetitive motion disorders can include:
carpal tunnel syndrome bursitis tendinitis / tendonitis epicondylitis (tennis elbow) ganglion cyst tenosynovitis trigger finger
Causes
Repetitive motion disorders are caused by:
too many uninterrupted repetitions of an activity or motionunnatural or awkward motions such as twisting the arm or wristoverexertionincorrect posturemuscle fatigue
Common Locations
Repetitive motion disorders occur most commonly in the:
hands fingers thumbs wrists elbows shoulders
Repetitive motion disorders can also happen in:
neck back hips knees feet legs ankles
Symptoms
Repetitive motion disorders are often characterized by:
paintinglingnumbnessvisible swelling or redness of the affected arealoss of flexibility and strength of the affected area
For some individuals, there may be no visible sign of injury, although they may find it hard to perform easy tasks.
Over time, repetitive motion disorders can cause temporary or permanent damage to the soft tissues in the body such as the:
musclesnervestendonsligaments
Repetitive motion disorders can also cause compression of nerves or tissue.
Risk Factors
Generally, repetitive motion disorders affect individuals who perform repetitive tasks such as:
assembly line workmeatpackingsewingplaying musical instrumentscomputer work
Repetitive motion disorders may also affect individuals who engage in activities such as:
carpentrygardeningtennis
Treatments
Treatment for repetitive motion disorders usually includes reducing or stopping the motions that cause symptoms.
Repetitive motion disorder treatment options can also include:
taking breaks to give the affected area time to rest adopting stretching and relaxation exercisesapplying ice to the affected area to reduce pain and swellingusing medications, such as:pain relievers corticosteroids NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) splints may be able to relieve pressure on the muscles and nerves physical therapy may relieve the soreness and pain in the muscles and joints In rare cases, surgery may be required to relieve symptoms and prevent permanent damage.
Prevention
Some employers have developed ergonomic programs to help workers adjust their pace of work and arrange office equipment to minimize problems.
Research
Much of the on-going research on repetitive motion disorders is aimed at prevention and rehabilitation. The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) funds research on repetitive motion disorders.
Prognosis
Most individuals with repetitive motion disorders recover completely and can avoid re-injury by:
changing the way they perform repetitive movementschanging the frequency with which they perform themchanging the amount of time they rest between movements
Without treatment, repetitive motion disorders may result in permanent injury and complete loss of function in the affected area.
