Are repetitive strain injuries more common among certain workers?

Repetitive strain injuries (RSIs) can be quite debilitating. They’re unlike other medical conditions. Many individuals with RSIs will remain relatively asymptomatic or experience periodic discomfort for months, if not years. The conditions gradually become chronic as the damage to their tendons, nerves and muscles worsen due to repeated usage. RSIs are a medical condition that’s more common among some workers than others.

Clerical workers tend to often be afflicted with RSIs. Their repeated use of a computer keyboard or mouse to complete everyday functions is taxing on their muscles, joints and nerves.

Individuals who are employed in jobs such as construction where they regularly grasp or utilize tools are also vulnerable to developing this condition. Those who work on assembly lines putting together products may also be at risk for it. Individuals who work as baristas, cooks, musicians, dental hygienists, bus drivers, cleaners, cashiers and athletes may also be prone to suffering from RSIs.

Some of the earliest symptoms of an RSI include swelling, throbbing, pain, stiffness, numbness, tenderness and weakness. Workers most often experience these sensations along their shoulders and neck, elbows, hands, wrists and forearms. Medical conditions such as bursitis, tennis elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome and rotator cuff tendonitis are all examples of RSIs.

Treatment options that individuals who are newly diagnosed with RSIs generally pursue include rest, ice, compression and elevation (RICE). Some patients may be instructed by their doctors to practice stress reduction, perform exercises or to wrap their ailing body part. Others may be put on a steroidal or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug regimen.

It can take a long time after the onset of an RSI for it to become clear just how much damage has been done. It’s not uncommon for workers to be experiencing persistent pain by the time that this happens. A workplace injuries attorney here in San Antonio will want to know more about the onset of your condition before advising you whether you may be eligible to file a Texas workers’ compensation claim in your case.