Repetitive Motion Injuries

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Repetitive motion injuries (RMIs) are also called repetitive strain injuries (RSIs). They result from doing the same activity over and over for a long period of time. This can be at work, at home, during sports, and/or with hobbies.

Signs & Symptoms

Signs and symptoms depend on the injury.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)

• Thumb, index, middle, and ring fingers feel numb
• Tingling feeling in the hand(s)
• Pain is felt in the thumb and fingers. The pain may be worse at night. It can wake you up.
• Pain starts in the hand and spreads to the arm. The pain can even travel to the shoulder.
• The fingers swell. It feels like your fingers are swollen. Your hands feel weak in the morning.
• You have trouble holding on to things. You drop things.
• You have a hard time writing with a pencil or pen, opening a jar, buttoning a blouse, etc.

Causes

In general, RMIs are caused by repeated movements that involve:

• Drilling or hammering
• Lifting
• Pushing or pulling
• Squeezing
• Twisting
• Wrist, finger, and hand movements

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)

Repeated motions, typing vibrations, etc. cause swelling of the tendons inside the carpal tunnel. This is the narrow tunnel in the wrist. The swelling puts pressure on the nearby nerves.

Treatment

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)

This is easier to treat and less likely to cause future problems if it is found early. CTS can be treated with:

• Wearing a wrist brace, splint, etc. as advised.
• Over-the- counter medicines to reduce pain and swelling. Examples are aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen sodium.
• A physical therapist or occupational therapist can show you what exercises to do at work and at home to treat CTS.
• Cortisone shots in the wrist area
• Surgery, if needed

• Severe or persistent pain, swelling, or spasm
• Tenderness or stiffness and limited motion in the affected area, such as the shoulder, arm, or wrist