Repetitive strain injury (RSI)

Average rating:

goodtoknow says: If your work or hobby involves a lot of repetitive movements, from computer work, even computer games to playing a musical instrument, you may get RSI. You can get tightness, pain, tingling, numbness or coldness in your wrists, hands and fingers and loss of strength. Two people doing exactly the same movements won't necessarily both get it, so it could be caused by a combination of genetics and physical strain. Avoid it by taking regular breaks and use supportive wrist splints or arm rests if you get pain. Anti-inflammatory drugs or surgery can help.

For a full medical explanation of the causes, symptoms and treatments of RSI from patient.co.uk, read on.

Repetitive strain injury is a condition where pain and other symptoms occur in an area of the body which has done repetitive tasks (often arms or hands). Treatment includes stopping the task (if possible), and other measures such as painkillers and physiotherapy.

What is repetitive strain injury?

The term repetitive strain injury (RSI) is used to describe a range of painful conditions of the muscles, tendons and other soft tissues. It is mainly caused by repetitive use of part of the body. It is usually related to a job or occupation, but leisure activities can also be a cause. Unlike a 'normal' strain following a sudden injury, symptoms of RSI can persist well beyond the time it would take symptoms of a 'normal' strain to ease.

What causes repetitive strain injury?

The main cause is frequent and repetitive movements of a part of the body. For example, typing, using a computer mouse a lot, etc. Other factors may contribute such as poor posture whilst doing the movement, using excessive force whilst doing the movement, and not having enough breaks from the task.

However, the precise reason why RSI develops is not clear. In many cases there is no swelling, inflammation or other obvious problems which develop in the muscles or tendons, and yet symptoms develop. Also, it is not clear why some people develop RSI and not others who do the same repetitive tasks.

Research suggests that 'psycho-social workplace factors' (which usually means 'stress' at work), can also contribute to RSI. It may be that stress increases muscle tension, and/or affects how the body feels pain in general.