A repetitive strain injury (RSI) is a condition where a continuous action, often involving the hands, causes pain or a dysfunction in the tendons and muscles involved. This type of injury affects the tendons, tendon sheaths, muscles, nerves, and joints. Pain is most commonly located in the neck, forearms, elbows, hands and wrists, or knees and ankles.
A repetitive strain injury (RSI) is caused when continuous, sometimes awkward, motions are used for prolonged periods of time. Repeating these motions over and over again can lead to injury. An example would be someone that sits at a computer for long periods of time. Typing and using a mouse for long periods can lead to RSI in the hands, forearms, as well as the neck and shoulders. Someone in a manual labor job can also be subject to this type of injury. In that situation, continuously lifting heavy objects or using tools like hammers and screwdrivers can cause these types of injury. Good ergonomic design of job duties and workstations along with proper safety training and rest breaks can help to reduce the instance of repetitive straing injuries.
Synonyms
Repetitive Injury, Repetitive Motion Injury, Repetitive Trauma, Overuse Injury
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