When it comes to workplace injuries, many common professions frequently result in injuries to the employees. These occupations include construction, meatpacking, assembly line work, auto shop work, and many others, which require extreme physical stress and strain.
Whether it is due to the fault of another employee or the company’s negligence, or simply an accident, injuries on the job occur quite often and can be very severe. Some may even be fatal in certain circumstances. However, physically strenuous occupations are not the only jobs in which employees may become injured.
Another category of injuries that may be sustained in just about any profession is repetitive stress injuries. When repetitive movements are made every day, this can most certainly wear down the areas of the body that are most directly affected and others that may also suffer distress.
What Is a Repetitive Stress Disorder?
Repetitive stress injuries, also known as cumulative trauma disorders, repetitive motion disorders, and overuse syndromes – are all caused by repetitive motions performed due to everyday activities throughout the day, including the actions of your job. Repetitive stress injuries most commonly affect soft tissues such as nerves, muscles, ligaments, and tendons.
Overuse injuries from repeated motions put undue and unnecessary stress on your body and can be very difficult to overcome with specific medical advice from an experienced workers’ comp doctor. Some of the most common types of repetitive stress injuries include:
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Bursitis
- Tendinitis
- Tennis elbow
- Ganglion cyst
- Trigger finger
There are others as well, and if you have sustained overuse injuries on the job, you need to seek out the medical advice of a professional who has experience working with individuals who suffer common work-related injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome.
Symptoms of Repetitive Stress Injuries
When you sustain a repetitive stress injury, it will most commonly be in an affected area such as your hands, fingers, thumbs, wrists, elbows, and shoulders. If there is too much stress and your job duties involve repetitive movements, you may also feel muscle strain, tissue damage, and more in your neck, back, hips, knees, feet, and legs.
Patients who have occupations that involve repetitive motions should be aware of the following symptoms in the affected area:
- Pain
- Tingling
- Numbness
- Throbbing
- Weakness
- Sensitivity to heat or cold
- Visible swelling
- Redness in the affected area
- Lack of flexibility
- Loss of strength
Although the symptoms may not be readily apparent in the short term, the repetitive movement can have long-term effects over time.
Individuals engaging in activities such as sewing, computer work, gardening, carpentry, assembly line work, playing musical instruments, and sports can easily find themselves suffering the effects of overuse injuries.
Treatments for a Repetitive Strain Injury
After an experienced workers’ comp doctor has diagnosed your overuse injuries, there are several effective treatments to help ease the pain and discomfort. Your physician will usually start with conservative treatment options before moving to anything more severe such as surgery.
Some of the most common treatments for overuse injuries include:
- R.I.C.E. (rest, ice, compression, elevation)
- Medications such as over-the-counter pain relievers or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Steroid injections
- Physical therapy and at-home exercises
- Relaxation training
- Splints to protect the muscles and tendons
- Surgery (only when all other treatments have been exhausted)
It is vital that you have a physician with vast experience and expertise in the area of accident injuries and workers’ comp claims to diagnose your overuse injuries and ensure you get the right treatment for your pain.
Ways to Prevent Injury From Repetitive Tasks on the Job
In addition to these treatments, you may also take steps to prevent overuse injuries at the workplace. These are especially necessary if you have a desk job that involves sitting in the same position for hours at a time.
- When you are at work, be sure to:
- Create a workstation that promotes good posture
- Use a chair with good lower back support and keep your feet on the floor
- Keep your thighs parallel to the ground and your hands, wrists, and forearms inline
- Avoid sitting with your legs crossed
- Try using a standing desk
- Use a headset to make phone calls so you do not strain your arms, neck, or shoulders
- Look straight ahead at your computer screen rather than up or down at it
- Keep your fingers and arms in line for correct typing
- Take frequent breaks from your desk to walk and stretch
- Wiggle your fingers
By utilizing these prevention tips, you can work to ensure that you do not place unnecessary stress on your muscles.
Why You Need a Workers’ Comp Doctor for Repetitive Stress Injuries Treatment?
While your family physician or a general practitioner (GP) can look at your repeated stress injury, it may not be readily apparent to that doctor that your job causes your pain. When you contact and visit a workers’ comp doctor such as those on our list at Workers’ Comp Doctor, you can rest assured that your injury will be thoroughly investigated and get the proper diagnosis.
The doctors we include on our list are specialists and have great experience working with patients who have sustained injuries on the job and because of accidents. They look for stress fractures, muscle strains, and other symptoms of issues caused by repetitive workplace movements. Because of this, they will prescribe the right treatment or anti-inflammatory medication to reduce pain and relieve symptoms.
Check Out Our List of Workers’ Comp Doctors Near You
If you have sustained an injury on the job due to repetitive movements necessary for your work, you need the expertise of a medical professional in the workers’ comp industry. At Workers’ Comp Doctor, we have a comprehensive list of New York specialists waiting for your call. Our list is free and available to anyone who needs it. Check it out today and get on the road to relief as soon as possible. Doctors listed in our free directory accept workers’ compensation insurance, and same-day appointments may be available. Call (888) 590-4030 to find an experienced workers’ compensation provider near you.