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Repetitive strain injuries: Seek early assistance with recovery

On Behalf of | Feb 4, 2019 | Workers' Compensation

When you’re working, there is nothing worse than doing your job and suddenly feeling the ping of pain that comes with repetitive strain injuries. Whether you’re lifting patients into their beds or trying to install a new device for your company, almost anyone has the potential to suffer from these injuries when they complete similar work all day, every day.

Repetitive strain injuries cause more damage than many people think, because they develop over time. By the time someone thinks that an injury is serious enough to seek assistance, the injuries may have worsened to the point of needing surgery or significant medical treatment.

What is the most common repetitive strain injury?

The most common repetitive strain injury is tendonitis. This is a condition where the tendons become inflamed and lead to the dysfunction of the body when moving those areas. For example, if you have tendonitis in a finger, it may not straighten completely.

What symptoms should you watch out for?

Symptoms that you should look out for include:

  • Weakness
  • Pain
  • Swelling
  • Tingling
  • Sensitivity to heat and cold
  • Stiffness

Each one of these symptoms is a sign that something isn’t right with part of your body, whether it’s your neck, elbow, shoulder area or fingers. When you have swelling, weakness, stiffness or tingling, it’s always a good idea to seek medical attention to have a medical provider determine the cause.

If these symptoms get better with rest, then you can assume, in most cases, that your repetitive movements on the job have something to do with the onset of pain and dysfunction in your body.

Does workers’ compensation cover repetitive strain injuries?

Workers’ compensation covers any injuries that are caused by your work. For example, if you type every day, there is a chance that you could develop tendonitis or carpal tunnel. Both of these injuries are related to the overuse of the tendons. Rest can be a good way to treat the injuries, but if they’re severe, surgery and physical therapy may be necessary to return the tendons to a natural state without inflammation.

Repetitive strain injuries can be caused by many different kinds of work. If you begin to notice pain, swelling or other symptoms, mention this to your supervisor or employer right away. You should seek medical attention to address the problem early on, so you can hopefully avoid any complications of a repetitive strain injury and return to work in a short time.