Written by Margarita Gurevich & Justin Balbir
In the previous article we looked at carpal tunnel, a common cause of wrist pain. In this article we will highlight RSI, osteoarthritis and wrist pain and how physiotherapy can help these conditions.
Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI).
Repetitive Strain Injury is a condition that describes injuries occurring as a result of overuse. While our bodies are built for movement and repetition, sometimes this repetition can be excessive and ultimately lead to irritation, inflammation, damage and pain to certain soft tissues of the musculoskeletal system. This includes such structures as nerves, muscles and tendons.
This type of condition is especially common in the wrists, as there are many daily and occupational tasks which require many repetitions of the same movements. As an example, someone working on a conveyer belt having to repeatedly screw/unscrew objects or an individual who spends hours scrolling with their mouse while using a computer. These tasks require repeated use of specific muscles.
Risk will be increased if any of the following factors are present:
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Prolonged performance of the particular task
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Poorly fitted equipment
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Working too quickly
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Inadequate recovery time
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Lack of training in optimal techniques