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 the 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 the patient is affected.

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

Meanwhile, surgery can cure the underlying conditions that cause 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 the patient keeps repeating the same negative patterns, surgery would be flat-out meaningless & rather temporary fix only until the RSI condition reoccurs.

#2 Ulnar Collateral Ligament (UCL) injury

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

The Ulnar Collateral Ligament is an important stabilizer of the thumb: Due to tear, rupture, forceful hyperextension, repetitive motions & cumulative trauma, the thumb can become unstable & impair the overall function of the hand.

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

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

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

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

#3 Cubital Tunnel Syndrome (Ulnar Neuropathy)

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

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

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

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

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

#4 Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a very common condition with more than 3 million cases in the US per year. CTS affects the population in age groups that fit between 30 to 60 years. Also, younger & older generations 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 a 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 professionals. 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 the 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 the shoulder & neck.

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

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

#6 Tenosynovitis

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

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

Tenosynovitis affects the 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 professionals.

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

#7 Dupuyten’s Contracture (Palmar Fibromatosis)

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

Palmar Fibromatosis generally affects a population over 40 years old.
It’s considered an 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 professionals. Lab tests or imaging are usually not required. Dupuyten’s Contracture is considered a chronic condition that can last years or be lifelong.

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

It’s a progressive cumulative, progressive condition – Eventually, an 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 a common medical condition among keyboard workers or anyone who has been involved with the ergonomically unsound working environment for extended periods.

It’s relatively new terminology for Repetitive Strain Injury, & is related to repetitive office-based work, lack of movement to the 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 a common medical condition that affects more than 200 000 people in the 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 the 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 the US per year. Continual friction of bursa areas can lead to Bursitis.

It’s an inflammation of the bursae, a sac that contains fluid that 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 commonly affects the population around 40-60 years old, it requires medical diagnosis & is treatable by medical professionals. Bursitis is considered to be a 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, and 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 Ganglion Cysts. Usually, it’s harmless on its own, unless it becomes infected.

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

Ganglion requires medical diagnosis & is treatable by medical professionals. 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 its own without treatment.

Using voice-activated software can potentially save you from tens of thousands of clicks & keystrokes. 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 a computer.

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

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 regain a bit of your mental focus.

In return, it increases your overall productivity. Little breaks refresh 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 is priceless for recovery.

We know that RSI is a cumulative trauma disorder in its nature – Very often, it literally states in itself that things have gone too far because of the same repetitive patterns. In the 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 to see a 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 visit a doctor, especially in an 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 an entirely different 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 the 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 is 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 a medical professional is lacking & not efficient enough, it’s a smart idea to seek yet another doctor’s 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 doctors – They all have different experience levels & a bit different skills. In your situation, one doctor may know something that others don’t.

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

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

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

It’s realistic, that the diagnostic as well as treatment measures won’t always necessarily apply well, because 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 an incredibly valuable feat & should not be underestimated – It’s one step closer to being 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 the difficulty of obtaining the 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 time acute RSI conditions can become chronic conditions & prevention is always better than cure.
Take action immediately, time is on no one’s 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 a 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 you 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 prescribe for you. In this way, you get access to the most relevant specialist, who can diagnose you & put a treatment plan together for you.