What is RSI? Repetitive Strain Injury – Symptoms, potential causes and treatments

Although thought of as a modern condition, RSI (repetitive Strain Injury) has long been documented in medical literature.

The Italian physician Bernardino Ramazzini (Often considered the father of occupational medicine) first described RSI in 20 different types of industrial workers in Italy as early as the 1700s.

What is RSI?

RSI (Repetitive Strain Injury ) is caused by mechanical irritation which upsets the body’s natural balance. It is an inflammation of the tendon sheaths in the fingers and hands, wrists and elbows which may eventually progress to the upper arms and shoulders. RSI is also often referred to as WRULD which stands for Work Related Upper Limb Disorder.

Often stiffness in the spinal joints of the neck and upper back aggravate or even cause RSI in the arms and hands. Spinal problems cause irritation of the nerves as they exit the spine and this leads to problems in the muscles they supply.

A Repetitive Strain Injury ( RSI ) is an injury to the musculoskeletal and nervous systems. This may be caused by repetitive tasks , vibrations, mechanical compression or sustained or awkward positions.

What are the Symptoms of RSI?

Common symptoms of RSI involve the following:

• Pain, aching or tenderness
• Stiffness
• Throbbing
• Tingling or numbness
• Weakness
• Cramp

Initially symptoms may only be noticeable when carrying out a particular task/activity. However, without treatment the symptoms of RSI may eventually become constant and cause longer periods of pain. You may also get swelling in the affected area, which can last for many months.

Types of RSI

Broadly speaking there are two types of RSI:

• Type 1 – This is when a Doctor can diagnose a recognised medical condition such as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Bursitis, Tennis Elbow. It is usually characterised by swelling and inflammation of the muscles or tendons.
• Type 2 – This is when a Doctor cannot diagnose a medical condition from your symptoms. This is usually because there are no obvious symptoms, apart from pain. Type 2 RSI is also referred to as non-specific pain syndrome. Both Type 1 and Type 2 RSI can be caused by work conditions.

Who is at risk

Workers who undertaking many repetitive tasks during the working day are at risk of suffering with RSI. This includes people working in many different industries such as but not limited to:

• Assembly line workers
• Factory workers
• Office workers

It is important to work in a comfortable environment which has been appropriately adjusted and assessed to ensure that it is safe. The following diagram provides an example of what should be considered for office workers.

How should your employer protect you from this risk?

Your Employer has a legal duty to try and prevent work – related RSI and ensure anyone who already has the condition doesn’t get any worse. Employers are under a duty to ensure their Employees are not put at any foreseeable risk as far as practicable.

The Employers should undertake a suitable risk assessment of the system of work. Any risk to Employees health must be identified and the risk should then be minimised to the lowest level.

Your employer should undertake Risk Assessments on the tasks you are required to do and modify these tasks if required. In certain circumstances you may be required to no longer do specific tasks because of your symptoms.

It may also be that the tasks should be shared between a number of staff on a rotation basis to ensure you receive a break from a repetitive task. Employers must always give training and information to their employees about the risk or repetitive strain injury.

Treatment

Prevention is still the best prescription. No wrist splint, arm rest, split keyboard , spinal adjustment etc is going to permit an immediate return to work at full speed if you’re injured . Is it important to make the long term changes in technique and work habits that initially caused the complaint.

Healing could take months, sometimes years. Many RSI victims do regain the ability to work and substantial freedom from pain, but they find that they remain vulnerable to re-injury and flare-ups.

Chiropractors adjust the affected joints to restore full motion, reducing stress on the nearby muscles, tendons and nerves. Massage and specific exercises will often be prescribed. The Spinal locking can be discovered before symptoms manifest and so chiropractors can prevent RSI in the first place.

If you have any of the above symptoms and you believe it may be as a result of a repetitive task at work it may be that you are suffering from illness as a direct result of your work.

Further reading

Repetitive Strain Injury Claims – Oakwood Solicitors

How to try and avoid Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI)

RSI – HSE website

WHAT TO DO NEXT

Get in touch today for a no-obligation consultation about repetitive strain injury or any other form of industrial disease. Choose one of the methods on the right-hand side of this page, or call us on 0113 200 9720 to find out how we can help you.