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2019 Continuing Education Conference
We hope you will join us at our 2019 Continuing Education Conference at the Georgia Tech Global Learning Center in Atlanta, GA.
Any repetitive motion can cause pain. For example, one of the most repetitive tasks is using a mouse to operate our computers.
Even though the small, precise motions do not seem like much, they could be causing damage to your fingers, hands, arm, elbow, neck, and shoulder.
Many people think that they can only be affected by a repetitive strain injury (RSI) from the heavy loads and power tools involved in manual labor, but you can still experience pain, swelling, and numbness from any repetitive movements.
Symptoms like these could indicate that you are suffering from one of these common computer-exacerbated injuries.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is one of the more serious hand and wrist conditions. The carpal tunnel is a narrow passage where swelling in the hand and wrist can compress the median nerve.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is common among office workers and sometimes requires surgical treatment to repair the nerve damage in the affected area.
Cubital tunnel syndrome is a similar disorder, but unlike carpal tunnel, it affects the nerves in the elbow rather than the wrist.
Another RSI is tendonitis. The tendons in your wrist and hand can get inflamed due to overuse. It sounds simple, but tendonitis can be a painful, repetitive strain injury. It can be serious enough to require physical therapy for the affected upper body part.
However, the most common wrist pain and radial wrist pain from mouse usage is muscle fatigue. Many people are surprised by how hard it can be to continue using their hands when the muscles get too tired from repeated movement to operate.
Muscle fatigue can mimic carpal tunnel syndrome, so if you do not get relief after a few days of rest, you should see your doctor for a physical examination.
Most RSIs are not technically hereditary, but genetic conditions such as autoimmune diseases and musculoskeletal disorders can exacerbate a repetitive motion disorder like carpal tunnel syndrome.
Discuss your medical history with your doctor to see if you are at risk for a repetitive strain injury.
Most repetitive strain injuries are specific to activities that you frequently do. For example, lateral epicondylitis, or tennis elbow, is an RSI that affects the tendons that bend your wrist away from your palm.
As the name suggests, tennis elbow is common among tennis players.
Medial epicondylitis, however, affects the nerves that bend the wrist towards the elbow and is more common in golfers and baseball players.
You can easily prevent issues with your hands and wrists. If you use the computer a lot, put some planning into your ergonomics.
Preventing a repetitive strain injury is much easier than treating the pain.
If you find it difficult to maintain proper posture because of how you arrange your workspace, talk to your management about replacing your computer keyboard and mouse or possibly your desk.
Using a computer mouse regularly can quickly cause muscle fatigue. Proper equipment, good posture, and stretching are great ways to treat the pain.
If you are experiencing measurable signs of an RSI, like carpal tunnel syndrome, the initial treatment is to rest the affected body part before seeking medical advice.
If all else fails, the specialists at Georgia Hand, Shoulder, and Elbow are available for consultations and diagnostic tests in Atlanta and Marietta, Georgia.
Contact us to schedule one today.
We hope you will join us at our 2019 Continuing Education Conference at the Georgia Tech Global Learning Center in Atlanta, GA.
Let’s go Braves!! After a week-long Hurricane, our staff had a blast watching the Atlanta Braves play at their new stadium while soaking in the warm rays of the sun.
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