The upper limb is the formal word used to describe your arm which extends from the shoulder region till the hand including forearm. Upper limb is very much essential for doing simple tasks daily. It is subjected to wear and tear as one grows older. Repetitive strain injury (RSI) can be described as (mild to chronic) pain in the muscles, tendons and nerves of the upper limb by doing repetitive movements. Overuse and persistent repetitive motions are the main cause for RSI.
People working in awkward posture and doing tasks persistently like typing on the computer or working in assembly line are vulnerable for developing RSI. This is also known as work related upper limb pain or disorder. The pain can be felt in any part of the arm like elbow, forearm, hands, neck and even shoulders. Initially mild pain is felt on the muscles and tendons of upper limb and the pain subsides if you stop working. Treatment options include RICE and taking rest at intervals at workplace.
Symptoms Of Repetitive Strain Injury :
The signs of RSI are not the same for all individuals and the degree of pain may also vary. One can feel the pain in the upper limb area and that part becomes stiff and tender. It can also produce tingling sensation due to nerve damage. Muscle cramps can be present in the area of damage. All the above symptoms are in early stage of RSI and the pain would improve once you stop doing particular task or repetitive movement.
Pain can be mild or medium or severe and for some people it becomes chronic. While you are resting there may not be any pain first but the symptoms may become worse causing persistent pain later. The affected part of the upper limb may develop swelling due to pain. If no treatment is given in this stage, the condition of RSI can become permanent and irreversible.
RSI can be divided into 2 main categories namely Type 1 and Type 2.
- Type 1 RSI is marked with well defined symptoms like tendonitis, Tenosynovitis (swelling of tendon sheath) and Carpel tunnel syndrome (compression of nerve with sharp pain).
- Type 2 RSI has no well defined signs and one cannot measure the symptoms like swelling or nerve damage. Hence it is also known as diffused RSI.
Causes :