REPETITIVE STRAIN INJURIES AND DISORDERS
Exposure to repetitive, forceful or awkward
tasks over a period of time result in stressful
situations which most often result in micro-
traumas to a specific region of the body, such
as a muscle or tendon. Without adequate
recovery, the accumulation of micro-traumas
results in pain, discomfort, numbness,
reduced strength and/or inhibited dexterity.
Examples of injuries or disorders that can be
work-related include:
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) – It is
a medical condition in which the median
nerve is compressed at the wrist, leading
to paresthesia, numbness and muscle
weakness in the hand.
• Tendonitis (or Tendinitis) – It is an
inflammation of a tendon. In this disorder
the tendons become inflamed for a variety
of reasons, and the action of pulling the
muscle becomes irritating. For example,
patellar tendonitis, also known as the
jumper’s knee, is an inflammation of the
patellar tendon, which connects the tibia
to the patella.
• Tenosynovitis – It is the inflammation
of the fluid-filled sheath (called the
synovium) that surrounds a tendon.
Symptoms of tenosynovitis include
pain, swelling, and difficulty moving the
particular joint where the inflammation
occurs.
• Rotator Cuff Syndrome – The rotator
cuff is a band of tendons which compose
a portion of the shoulder joint. Rotator
cuff syndrome is suggested by shoulder
pain when the arm is elevated to the side.
A rotator cuff tear, particularly if it is
severe, will make it difficult or impossible
to maintain the arm lifted up 90 º .
Figure 3: Repetitive Motion Injuries: Body parts
is similar to carpal tunnel syndrome,
which occurs in the wrist. Both disorders
arise from the compression of a nerve in
a confined space. It is a cause of foot and
ankle pain in adults.
• Sciatica – The sciatic nerve is the longest
nerve in a human body. It runs from the
spinal cord to the buttock and hip area
and down the back of each leg. The term
“sciatica” refers to pain that radiates
along the path of this nerve – from the
back down the buttock and leg.
• Epicondylitis – Epicondyle is the outside
(lateral side) of the elbow. Epicondylitis
refers to an inflammation of an
epicondyle. It is of two types:
► Lateral epicondylitis, also known
as tennis elbow – A condition where
the outer part of the elbow becomes
painful and tender. It’s a condition
that is commonly associated with
playing tennis (or cricket, in Sachin
Tendulkar’s case), though the injury
can happen to almost anybody.
► Medial epicondylitis, also known as
golfer’s elbow – Pain and inflammation
on the inner side of elbow, where the
tendons of forearm muscles attach to
the bony bump on the inside of elbow.
The pain may spread into forearm and
wrist. It’s not limited to golfers. Tennis
players and others who repeatedly use
their wrists or clench their fingers also
can develop golfer’s elbow