Repetitive stress injuries can have as serious an impact on workers as other types of workplace injuries. Workers should be familiar with the different types of repetitive stress injuries and the help available to victims.
Types of repetitive stress injuries
Repetitive stress injuries are most common among individuals of working age. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that carpal tunnel syndrome, one type of repetitive strain injury, impacts 1.9 million victims in the United States. There are several different types of repetitive stress injuries including:
- Carpal tunnel syndrome;
- Tendonitis on the wrist and hand;
- Tendinosis;
- Tenosynovitis;
- Bursitis in the wrist, knee, elbow or shoulder;
- Tennis elbow, also known as lateral epicondylitis;
- Cubital tunnel syndrome, which affects the ulnar nerve in the elbow;
- Ulnar tunnel syndrome, also known as Guyon canal syndrome, which affects the wrist; and
- Trigger finger or trigger thumb, also known as stenosing tenosynovitis
Help with repetitive stress injuries
Injuries suffered because of repetitive motion, such as repetitive motions at work in a factory, office or construction job site, can be painful for sufferers. Pain victims suffer can range from a constant ache to a sharp pain. It may limit or prohibit the victim’s ability to work. Repetitive stress injuries can be debilitating in some cases.
For that reason, workers’ compensation protections can help injured workers with their medical care and lost earnings. It is important for injured workers and their families to be familiar with how workers’ compensation benefits can help and how to obtain them when needed.