ORTHOPEDICS/SPORTS INJURIES/OVERUSE DAMAGEM
Repetitive tension damages embrace numerous disorders that mainly affect the soft tissues, including the nerves, ligaments, and muscles.
Repeated motions performed in the course of normal work or daily activities cause repetitive tension damages.
Repetitive tension damages are also called collective trauma disorders or repetitive motion disorders or overuse disorders.
Repetitive tension damages include:
Carpal tunnel disorder, Bursitis, Tendinitis, Epicondylitis (tennis elbow), Ganglion tumor, Tenosynovitis and Activated Finger
Reasons
A/ Repetitive tension damages are caused by:
- Several uninterrupted repetitions of an activity or movement
- unusual or uncooperative movement such as snaking the arm or wrist
- Overexertion
- Inappropriate posture
- Muscle fatigue
- Corporate damages Sites
B/ Repetitive tension damages happen frequently in the:
Hands, Fingers, Thumbs, Wrists, Elbows and Shoulders
C/ Repetitive tension damages may as well affect the:
Neck, Back, Hips, Knees, Feet, Legs and Ankles.
Symptoms
Repetitive tension damages are generally characterized by:
Pain, Burning, Coldness, Apparent inflammation, Redness and loss of flexibility and strength of the affected zone.
Over the time, repetitive tension damages can cause temporary or permanent damage to the soft tissues in the body, such as the:
Muscles, nerves, Ligaments, as well as nerves or tissue compression.
Persons Affected
Classically, repetitive tension damages affect people who perform repetitive activities, such as:
Assembly line work, Meatpacking, Sewing, Playing musical instruments, Computer work, Carpentry Gardening, Tennis…
Therapy
Therapy for repetitive tension damages commonly embraces decreasing or stopping the movements that cause disorders.
Repetitive tension damages therapy alternatives can also include:
- Taking breaks to give the affected zone enough relaxing time
- Embracing stretching and relaxation trainings
- Applying ice on the affected zone to lessen pain and inflammation
- using medicines such as: pain relievers, corticosteroids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications
- Bandages that may be able to release pressure on the muscles and nerves
- Physical therapy that also may diminish the discomfort and pain in the muscles and joints.
In rare conditions, surgery may be recommended to avoid permanent damage.
Prediction
Repetitive tension damages can be completely recovered.
Avoiding re-injury may be reach by:
- Changing the way of performing repetitive movements
- Changing the frequency of performing these repetitive movements
- Changing the relaxation period between the repetitive movements.
Remember: Neglecting repetitive tension damages may cause permanent injury and a complete loss of function of the affected zone.