Repetitive Strain Injury

Repetitive Strain Injury

As the name states, repetitive strain injuries (RSI) are injuries caused by repetitive movements over a long duration to a certain part of the body (usually affects the hands and arms). It is a collective name used to describe a painful range of conditions affecting the muscles, tendons and other soft tissues of the affected area. Unlike normal strains/acute injuries, symptoms of RSI can continue for a much longer time. Treatment for RSI includes avoiding/stopping the aggravating activity, modifying the environment in which the repetitive movement occurs and other modalities such as painkillers and physiotherapy.

The main symptoms of RSI can include the following:

• Pain
• Tightness
• Dull ache or throbbing
• Neural signs such as numbness or tingling

Main thing is that symptoms tend to develop gradually over time with initial symptoms persisting only during the repetitive movement and subsiding with rest. Over time, the symptoms can become more constant while worsening during the activity. Intensity of symptoms very and one can experience a wide range from mild to very severe symptoms.

As mentioned earlier, the best chance of recovery is to try to stop or at least minimise the repetitive movement that caused the RSI. This might be easier in theory than in reality (especially if work situation is the culprit) but addressing one’s environment, work station ergonomics or daily schedule of tasks will all be beneficial in helping to emit RSI (e.g. changing one’s chair angles to the work bench, positioning of computer mouse etc.).

Other treatments to help coping with the symptoms include the following:

• Speak to your GP regarding medications to help with the pain management. Anti-inflammatories, paracetamol, and/or muscle relaxants could all help. In more severe cases, one could be referred to a specialist who might authorise a steroid injection to speed up the anti-inflammatory response.
• It has been found that breathing and relaxation techniques have helped to decrease the muscle tension. Also, participation in regular moderate exercise will help to offload the stress on the affected area.
• Physiotherapy has been found to be very helpful in assisting with managing RSI. This can be done in assisting with postural alignment, muscular mechanics to ensure even load and correction of muscular imbalances via a strengthening and stretching regime.

Symptoms should ease off/subside by doing the above-mentioned points but the most important thing to remember when dealing with RSI (and to avoid future bouts of RSI) is that one needs to decrease the stress experienced on the affected area so in almost all cases, lifestyle modifications need to be addressed. Also, the sooner one addresses RSI, the better the outcome, so seek medical help (GP) as soon as possible.

In most cases, RSI should subside in 3 to 6 months with the treatment modalities mentioned above speeding up the process. In a small percentage of cases, symptoms can become chronic (long-term) which can be frustrating and debilitating to the individual. In these cases, addressing the symptoms won’t be sufficient and a complete avoidance of the repetitive movement will be required.