Repetitive Strain Injury and Practical Ways How to Undo it

If these previous steps are not effective enough, additional medical approaches can be taken. Depending on your condition & severity of the case, some of these following medical approaches can be beneficial:

Traditional open surgery or arthroscopy are two common, possible surgical approaches to treat RSI. There are also multiple other types of surgeries being performed, depending on which type of RSI patient is affected with.

Although surgery is considered the last resort & rarely needed in RSI case, it’s the most aggressive approach that can bring good results.

Meanwhile surgery can cure the underlying conditions that causes inflammation & pain, it is still paramount to modify patients activity & keep proper postures, before & after surgery: To protect tendons, joints & ligaments to prevent further symptoms, or prevent RSI from returning.

Otherwise, if patient keeps repeating the same negative patterns, surgery would be flat out meaningless & rather temporary fix only until RSI condition reoccurs.

#2 Ulnar Collateral Ligament (UCL) injury

UCL injury happens most commonly when person falls. It can happen to anyone, anywhere. Person who gets injured extends hand while blocking a fall – Stress from falling can cause sprain in MCP joint in thumb.

Ulnar Collateral Ligament is important stabilizer of the thumb: Due to tear, rupture, forceful hyper-extentison, repetitive motions & cumulative trauma, thumb can become unstable & impairs overall function of hand.

Instability of thumb is commonly accompanied with pain & weakness in pinch gripping function.

Ulnar Collateral Ligament injury is common medical condition that is affecting gamekeepers, shooters as well as wide variety of athletes – For example, volleyball players or skiers: UCL can affect people who sustain a fall onto outstretched hand.

Skiers can get affected with UCL injury because of forced hyper-abducting movement that is caused by falling against planted ski pole.

Recent studies show that 49% Ulnar Collateral Ligament disruptions were caused by fall onto an outstretched hand.

#3 Cubital Tunnel Syndrome (Ulnar Neuropathy)

Chronic compression of ulnar nerve is known as Cubital Tunnel Syndrome.
If your pinky finger is numb, it can be sign of CTS.

CTS is a common condition that is diagnosable & treatable by medical professional.

Cubital Tunnel Syndrome is a medical condition, that is less known relative of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, & involves pressure or stretching to ulnar nerve.

Cubital Tunnel is a space on the back of the medial elbow, that allows passage to ulnar nerve around the elbow.

Many people, who are affected, wake up at night because their fingers are numb.
There’s usually numbness in ring finger & pinky.

#4 Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a very common condition with more than 3 million cases in US per year. CTS affects population in age groups that fit between 30 to 60 years. Also younger & older generation can be affected.

Some of the leading causes can be obesity combined with peculiar wrist structure, work stress & related diseases as well as some autoimmune diseases.

CTS is painful & progressive condition that causes numbness & tingling in the affected hand & arm. The pain is caused by the pinched nerve in the carpal tunnel.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome requires medical diagnosis & is treatable by medical professional. If left untreated, it progresses & may lead to muscle atrophy & nerve damage.

Commonly, it’s a medium term disease that resolves within months, depending on how severe the case.

#5 Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS)

Thoracic Outlet Syndrome is a rare condition that affects less than 200 000 people in us per year. It commonly affects population in age groups of 20 to 50 years. But it can affect all ages regardless.

Typical symptoms of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome are pain & numbness in shoulder & neck.

TOS happens due to trauma & repetitive shoulder movements that causes nerve compression while playing certain sports. Strain on the shoulders can lead to inflammation in tendons.

TOS requires medical diagnosis, lab tests or imaging & is treatable by medical professional. It’s considered as medium term condition that resolves within months.

#6 Tenosynovitis

Tenosynovitis is common medical condition that is affecting more than 200 000 people in US per year. It’s a common amongst factory line workers & computer users.

It’s an inflammation in tendon sheath that connects muscle to the bone.
Hands, wrist & feet are affected. It’s a painful condition caused by Repetitive Strain Injury, trauma or infection.

Tenosynovitis affects population in age groups that fit between 30-60 years. But any age group can be affected regardless.

Diagnosing Tenosynovitis requires medical diagnosis & may require lab tests & imaging. It’s treatable by medical professional.

It’s usually considered a short term condition that resolves within days or weeks.

#7 Dupuyten’s Contracture (Palmar Fibromatosis)

Dupuyten’s Contracture is common condition that affects more than 200 000 people in US per year.
It’s tightening & thickening of the tissue under the skin in the patients hand – Patient can’t fully extend fingers.

Palmar Fibromatosis generally affects population over 40 years old.
It’s considered as idiopathic condition, although the exact causes are not entirely known but doctors suspect it can be genetic.

Dupuyten’s Contracture is usually self-diagnosable & treatable by medical professional. Lab tests or imaging are usually not required. Dupuyten’s Contracture is considered as a chronic-condition that can last years or be lifelong.

This condition tends to occur as a consequence of accumulation of scar tissue underneath the skin, at the base of the fingers. Over time, scar tissue grows & forms a lump in the palm of the hand near the base of the fingers.

It’s a progressive cumulative, progressive condition – Eventually, affected person can’t straighten their fingers at all.

#8 Diffuse Repetetive Strain Injury (Diffuse RSI)

It’s noted that Diffuse Repetitive Strain Injury is common medical condition amongst keyboard workers, or anyone who has been involved with ergonomically unsound working environment for extended periods of time.

It’s a relatively new terminology for Repetitive Strain Injury, & is related to repetitive office based work, lack of movement to medial nerve & nerve damage caused by bad posture, overuse & awkward movements.

Diffuse RSI can be tricky & very difficult to diagnose – It’s a non-specific condition by its nature.

Diffuse Repetitive Strain Injury is somewhat catch phrase to describe different types of RSI conditions all over the body.

Those affected with Diffuse RSI, often can’t illustrate demonstrable physical signs of injury. Physical signs of injury are often controversial, making diagnosing usually very difficult.

#9 Dystonia (Writers Cramp)

Dystonia is common medical condition that affects more than 200 000 people in US per year. It’s considered a prevalent & common condition among writers, computer workers, office workers & musicians.

The main population affected tends to be 60 years old & above. But younger population can be affected as well.

Dystonia is a medical condition that causes involuntary muscle contractions – Commonly, it causes twitching & repetitive movements. Treatment helps but there is currently no cure for this condition.

Dystonia requires medical diagnosis, but lab tests & imaging are often not required. Dystonia is a chronic condition that can last years or be lifelong.

Treatment usually involves drugs, injections as well as physical therapy.

#10 Bursitis (Bursa Inflammation)

Bursitis, also known as “beat” condition, is a common medical condition that affects more than 200 000 people in US per year. Continual friction of bursa areas can lead to Bursitis.

It’s an inflammation of bursae, a sac that is containing fluid which helps two bone surfaces to move without friction. These sacs are located in body parts where muscle tendons glide over joints such as elbow, shoulder, knee & hips.

It’s a common condition that affects construction industry workers. It’s also common among cleaners who are affected by “Housemaids Knee” type of Bursitis, or musicians & painters who usually suffer from Bursitis in elbows.

Bursitis is commonly affecting population around 40-60 years old, it requires medical diagnosis & is treatable by medical professional. Bursitis is considered to be medium-term condition that usually resolves within months.

Lab tests or imaging are usually not required to diagnose Bursitis.

Conservative treatment of Bursitis includes good old RICE strategy – Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation. Physical therapy is helpful. Surgery is rarely needed.

#11 Ganglion Cyst

Ganglion Cyst, also called Bible Cyst, is a common medical condition that affects more than 200 000 people in
US per year.

Most commonly, Ganglion Cyst occurs in women in age between 20 to 40.
People from all walks of life can contract with Ganglion Cyst. Usually it’s harmless on its own, unless it becomes infected.

It’s considered as a noncancerous cyst that often forms on the tendons & joint of wrists & fingers. Also shoulders, knees & foot can be affected. These cysts are usually small, round & painless.

Ganglion requires medical diagnosis & is treatable by medical professional. Imaging or lab tests are usually not required.

Ganglion is considered to be a medium term condition that resolves within months. It usually resolves on it’s own without treatment.

Using voice activated software can potentially save you from tens of thousands of clicks & key strokes. It helps you to navigate your computer hands-free.

This is an important upgrade that helps you to modify your activity pattern while sitting behind computer.

There are multiple voice activated applications available online that are intented for documentation composition. It also can dramatically increase your productivity both at home & at work, meanwhile you spare yourself from RSI.

A well designed voice recognition helps you to dictate documents technically almost three times as fast as typing.
This is a hands down win-win situation to prevent RSI if you decide to go this route.

Don’t worry, your work is not going anywhere, but your health is, IF you’re not taking care of your body.

Taking breaks is an absolute must to stay in better shape.

Take small breaks & take them often – Relax your shoulders & back, arms & fingers. Lift your arms up, flex & yawn if you wish. Shake your arms & legs gently. Apply light stretches. These are very simple, small bits & pieces that help you to relieve strain from overused muscles & also help you to regain a bit your mental focus.

In return, it increases your overall productivity. Little breaks are refreshing you, so you can keep going.
But most importantly, it puts breaks on Repetitive Strain Injury in the long run.

Monitoring your condition gives you an upper hand, you’ll always know how things are going for you. Knowing about both negative & positive aspects are priceless for recovery.

We know that RSI is a cumulative trauma disorder in its nature – Very often, it literally states in itself that things are gone too far because of the same repetitive patterns.. In worst case, some of them you might not even be aware of.

One of these patterns, that merges into this condition, is not seeking help when you really need it. Many folks don’t want see doctor because they claim that they don’t have time.. or they feel this condition is not that bad. Both excuses are lame & not good at all in the long run.

But why to visit a doctor, especially in RSI case? The same main reason I pointed out before: Repetitive Strain Injury can be extra deceptive, especially if nerves get compressed..

You might experience pain in certain parts of your body such as your forearm & wrist..

..but the actual source that causes pain sensation is located in entirely diferent spot: In your shoulder for example. Diffuse RSI is one of those notorious conditions that can cause symptoms like these, but as each case is unique, your situation might be entirely different.

Nerves in human body are very deceptive that way. That’s why diagnosing RSI can be tricky & difficult in multiple cases. It’s not impossible, but this one of those conditions that just might take a bit more effort.

If you’ve already visited a doctor & you feel that the treatment you received from medical professional is lacking & not efficient enough, it’s smart idea to seek yet another doctors advice as well.

Many folks I’ve talked to have said something like “hey, I’ve seen a doctor already, he didn’t think much of this condition I have, so why should I even bother..”

I recommend you to give it another go, with different doctor – They all have different experience levels & a bit different skills. In your situation, one doctor may know something that other don’t.

The more, the better, until you get things monitored properly & find an effective recovering method for you.

The more diverse advice you get from multiple different reliable sources, the better for you to determine the underlying conditions more precicely.

Remember, doctors are not gods, they cannot see inside of you. In diagnosing process they rely on precise & proven medical techniques to confirm & conclude the diagnosis, but your own willingness & cooperation is also vital to achieve better result.

It’s realistic, that the diagnostic as well as treatment measures won’t always necessarily apply well, beacuse each & every case is individual & unique.

But by no means does that mean you should stop trying to find better solutions.
The chance to fail is incredibly valuable feat & should not be underestimated – It’s one step closer to be more successful next time. Never forget, that RSI can be tricky & difficult to deal with.

The last thing you want to do is to become “ostrich” & “hide your head under sand” – It’s important to be open about your situation, & to keep adjusting to new strategies & better measures if the initial route you took isn’t the one for you.

Diseases are scary, they’re meant to be.. so, it’s only natural to be afraid. But you’re not alone in this, hundreds of thousands of people are going through the similar process you are.

Due to difficulty of obtaining correct diagnosis of RSI, you may be waiting for appointments to visit numerous physicians.
That’s why you should start seeking proper treatment for RSI early & as soon as possible.

Over the time acute RSI condition can become chronic condition & prevention is always better than cure.
Take action immediately, time is at no ones side.

Don’t pick just any doctor, always try to find the one who’s more competent for your case. Mainly, you want to aim for physical medicine & rehabilitation. So, your best bets are likely physiatrists.

It’s always good idea to ask for doctors experience. You want to know how knowledgeable the doctor is on the subject. Diagnosing RSI can be challenging, the more competent doctor your find, the better for you.

You should expect that most general practitioners are unable to give you specific advice, but they’re still very valuable to provide you with possible ideas & treatment solutions.

Even better, if they can recommend you a good physical therapist & are willing to write a prescription for you. In this way you get access to most relevant specialist, who can diagnose you & put a treatment plan together for you.