Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI)
By: Shanaya Dua
What is RSI (Repetitive Strain Injury)?
Symptoms
- Tenderness in the affected muscle or joint
- Pain in affected muscle or joint
- Throbbing sensation
- Tingling sensation
- Loss of sensation
- Loss of strength
Causes of RSI
- Poor posture or a non-ergonomically designed work space
- Overuse of a particular muscle or group of muscles
- Working in cold temperatures
Preventing RSI
Ergonomics:
- ensure that desk, chair and screen are aligned in an ergonomic fashion.
- Adjust chair and keyboard height
- elbows at 90 degrees
- keyboard top about 28 inches
- adequate knee clearance
- adjustable lumbar support
- armrest recommended
Exercises
- Chin tucks
- Neck rotations
- Neck side bends
- Neck forward bends
- Chest stretches
- Wrist extensions
- Wrist flexing
- Finger stretches
Types of RSI
- Tendinosis: cellular degeneration of collagen within the tendons through overuse (a separate condition from tendinitis)
- Raynaud's disease: the collapse of blood vessels in the extremities when cold or stressed; this condition can be brought on by work involving vibration - jackhammer operators, for instance, are prone
- Rotator cuff syndrome: damage to any of the tendons that hold the shoulder joint in place, particularly common in work where prolonged overhead activity is necessary
Works Cited
Newman , Tim. Repetitive Strain Injury. 20 November 2015. Web. 2 May 2016. <http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/176443.php#what_is_an_RSI>.
Repetetive strain injury. 15 Febuary 2015. Web. 2 May 2016. <http://web.eecs.umich.edu/~cscott/rsi.html>.
Repetitive Strain Injury - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment | Bone and Spine." Bone and Spine. N.p., 15 Sept. 2010. Web. 2 May 2016. <http://boneandspine.com/repetitive-strain-injury/>.
"Does Workman’s Comp Cover Repetitive Strain Injuries?" TIFAQ. N.p., 28 July 2014. Web. 29 Apr. 2016. <http://tifaq.com/does-workmans-comp-cover-repetitive-strain-injuries/>.
"Pc Ergonomics BY Muhammad Fahad Ansari 12IEEM14." Pc Ergonomics BY Muhammad Fahad Ansari 12IEEM14. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Apr. 2016. <http://www.slideshare.net/fahadansari131/pc-ergonomics-by-muhammad-fahad-ansari-12ieem14>.
"What Is RSI and What Can You to Do to Prevent It? (www.explania.com)."YouTube. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Apr. 2016. <https://youtu.be/agZe-tyj_1s>.