Repetitive stress injuries are caused by repetitive motion in the workplace and may be debilitating and require treatment and care. It is helpful for workers who may be subject to repetitive stress injuries to be familiar with what they are and what causes them and how workers’ compensation may be able to help them with their injuries.
What are repetitive stress injuries?
Repetitive stress injuries refer to a large group of medical conditions that impact soft tissues including nerves, tendons, ligaments and muscles. Repetitive stress injuries are caused by repeated motions in the course of normal work activities. Repetitive stress injuries can include carpal tunnel syndrome, bursitis, tendinitis, epicondylitis, trigger finger, tenosynovitis and ganglion cysts.
The causes of repetitive stress injuries include too many uninterrupted repetitions of an activity or motion; unnatural or awkward motions such as arm or wrist twists; overexertion; poor posture; and muscle fatigue. Symptoms of repetitive stress injuries include pain, tingling, numbness, visible swelling or redness or the loss of flexibility and strength in the impacted area.
A variety of different types of workers can be impacted by repetitive stress injuries. Workers in the construction industry, office work and other forms of work can all be impacted by repetitive stress injuries. Assembly line workers; meatpacking workers; sewing workers; workers who play musical instruments; computer workers; carpentry workers; gardening workers; and workers who play sports can all suffer repetitive motion injuries.
Workers’ compensation benefits may be able to help injured workers with their time away from work and medical bills. For that reason, workers suffering with a repetitive stress injuries should be familiar with how workers’ compensation benefits may be able to help them.