Repetitive Strain Injury
Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI), also known as Upper Limb
Disorders (ULD) or Occupational Overuse Injuries (OOI), is a
term which includes a range of different conditions. These
conditions include:
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Tendonitis
- Tenosynovitis
- Bursitis
- Tennis Elbow
- Writer's Cramp
What are the symptoms of RSI? Depending on which condition
somebody is suffering, the affected area is usually a wrist,
elbow, neck, back or shoulder. Early symptoms of RSI can include
tingling, numbness, loss of joint movement, aching, joint pain,
and tightness in the afflicted area whilst carrying out the
activity which is causing the damage.
Later symptoms of RSI tend to be present all the time, affecting
a person's non-working life as well as their time at work. These
symptoms can include cold hands, difficulty gripping and turning
objects, constant aching and pain, and trembling.
There are two types of RSI; type 1, where the symptoms shown
amount to a syndrome or a particular condition, such as Carpal
Tunnel Syndrome or Tennis Elbow, and type 2, where the symptoms
are impossible to measure and do not fit in well with any
recognised syndromes. Type 2 is also known as "diffuse RSI".
What professions often suffer the effects of RSI? Anybody whose
work involves a repetitive movement, forceful movement or
holding one position for a long time is at risk of developing
RSI. Particularly vulnerable professions include:
- data entry clerks
- journalists
- assembly line workers
- musicians
- cashiers
- bank clerks
What can be done to prevent RSI? Employers have a duty of care
to protect the health of their employees, and these are some
steps an employer can take to reduce the chance of workers
developing RSI:
- Enrol employees who spend a lot of time typing on a touch
typing course. RSI is much less likely in somebody who is
looking at the screen rather than the keyboard and who is typing
with all fingers rather than just two.
- Ensure computer-users are aware of their legal entitlement to
eye tests. Sitting in an unnatural position so that the screen
is legible increases the likelihood that a person will develop
RSI.
- Ensure employees are able to adjust chair height, their
distance from keyboard, and other variables so that they have a
good posture and can work in a comfortable environment.
What should be done if someone develops RSI? Someone who
suspects they have an RSI condition should visit their doctor as
soon as possible and undergo appropriate treatment to recover
from the injury.
If someone has RSI, they should consider making a personal
injury claim against their employer for their injury, as RSI can
often take a long time to heal, requiring extensive treatment
and physiotherapy in some cases.
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