Your hands and repetitive stress injuries

On Behalf of | Jun 13, 2017 | Workers' Compensation |

Depending on your profession, there is a good chance that you use your hands on a regular basis.

Over time, you may find that you are suffering from a repetitive stress injury. This can include but is not limited to bursitis, tendonitis and carpal tunnel syndrome. While not life-threatening, any of these can harm your ability to effectively do your job.

Here are some of the things you should know about repetitive stress injuries and your hands:

— There are many symptoms of repetitive stress injury, including but not limited to pain, tingling, swelling, stiffness, numbness and weakness.

— There is treatment available for repetitive stress injuries. For some, a long period of rest is all they need. Others, those with a more serious injury, may require surgery.

— While there are some things you can do to prevent the likelihood of a repetitive stress injury, there is no guarantee of doing so. One of the best things you can do is take regular breaks while working. Along with this, don’t push the limit if you begin to experience pain or discomfort. Instead, you should consult with your medical team to better understand what is going on.

Using your hands allows you to do many things. If you suffer a repetitive stress injury, you may find it challenging to complete day-to-day tasks.

If you have been diagnosed with any type of repetitive stress injury, don’t hesitate to learn more about the workers’ compensation system. You may be able to receive benefits while you recover. Once you feel better, you can then return to your job.

Source: Cleveland Clinic, “Repetitive Stress Injury (RSI),” Mark Hendrickson, accessed June 13, 2017