Question: What is a Repetitive Strain Injury?
Answer: A repetitive strain injury is an injury to a part of the body that is caused by overusing or straining that body part.
Strain occurs when the body part is called on to work harder, stretch farther, impact more directly or otherwise function at a greater level then it is prepared for. The immediate impact may be minute, but when it occurs repeatedly the constant straining cause damage.
The term repetitive strain injury identifies a large group of conditions that result from using the body in a way it is not designed for or capable of comfortably working.
These conditions are often focused on a joint and usually affect the muscle, bone, tendon or bursa of the joint. However other anatomical features and areas can be stressed and their response to that strain can be an injury.
Some common examples of repetitive strain injuries are:
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Tendonitis
- Bursitis
- Tennis Elbow
- Trigger Finger
- Blackberry Thumb
- Vibration White Finger
- Shin Splints
- Calluses
- Bunyan
The full list of what can be classified as a repetitive stress injury is quite extensive.
Other terms used interchangeably with Repetitive Stress Injury are:
- Repetitive stress injury (RSI)
- Repetitive stress disorder (RSD)
- Repetitive strain disorder (RSD)
- Repetitive motion injury (RMI)
- Repetitive motion disorder (RMD)
- Repetitive injury
- Overuse syndrome
- Cumulative trauma disorder (CTD)
- Musculoskeletal disorder (MSD)
