When you’re on the job, you expect to do work and get paid, not end up sidelined by pain. But for many workers, the repetitive motions required by their job can lead to a type of injury that’s as frustrating as it is debilitating.
If you’re experiencing difficulties at work or in your daily life due to a repetitive motion injury, you may be wondering what comes next. This short blog post will help you learn the symptoms to look out for.
Indicators of a repetitive motion injury
Repetitive motion injuries occur when you do the same action over and over, causing damage to your muscles, nerves, ligaments and tendons. Also known as repetitive stress injuries, they can be painful and debilitating, affecting your daily life and work performance.
When you repeat an action, your muscles or muscle groups can get damaged faster than they can heal, leading to injury. Certain activities, such as playing sports, playing instruments or lifting packages, can increase your risk of sustaining this injury. Common signs of this condition include:
- Pain: Lower back pain can be common for people who regularly lift heavy objects and do repetitive motions at work.
- Swelling: Swollen ligaments and tendons can be a result of overworking your wrists, arms or other body parts vulnerable to this injury.
- Tingling and throbbing sensations: Pins-and-needles sensations in thumbs and fingers are also common indicators of this condition.
One common example of this injury is carpal tunnel syndrome. This occurs when a particular nerve in your wrist becomes compressed by swollen and inflamed ligaments and tendons. If left untreated, this condition may lead to long-term nerve damage.
Starting the path to recovery
When you’re dealing with the pain and frustration of a repetitive motion injury, it can be hard to know where to turn. However, by recognizing the symptoms and understanding your rights, you can take the crucial steps towards improving your health and seeking the compensation you deserve.