Repetitive strain injury is also known as RSI, or repetitive motion injury. In some situations, it's also known as a work-related upper limb disorder or WRULD. This type of injury may cause damage to muscles, tendons or ligaments caused by repeated movements or overuse or strain.
While it sounds like a mild condition, repetitive strain injury often leads to debilitation and chronic pain. A person who sits at a keyboard all day or a person who constantly lifts heavy objects during the course of his workday may be diagnosed with a repetitive strain injury just as easily as a baseball pitcher or other athlete.
Two types of repetitive strain injury are common:
Your doctor will ask you questions, obtain a full medical history and perform a physical examination. He may also order a number of tests to aid in diagnosis, including:
If you've been diagnoses with a repetitive injury, you may be instructed to rest the affected area. You may also have treatment options that include but are not limited to:
If non-surgical treatments for repetitive injury stress don't provide relief, your doctor may suggest surgery if the cause of the pain and symptoms are know. For example, if you've been diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome, you may undergo a carpal tunnel release procedure.