EMEDx Diagnosis	REPETITIVE-STRAIN INJURIES (RSI) For more Sports Medicine and Orthopedic Information Check out EMEDx.com
Definition	RSIs are musculoskeletal disorders that may be due to repeated movements or cumulative small trauma.
Details	Repetitive-strain injuries (RSI) result in a variety of disorders. Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common example. Disorders such as thoracic outlet syndrome, fibromyalgia and cubital tunnel syndrome may also be related to RSI.
Causes	Highly repetitive work such as keyboarding or cashiering may contribute to RSI. Exposure to excessive vibration (jackhammer), or extreme and prolonged hand positioning (dental hygienist) may worsen or cause RSI. Poor ergonomic positioning of computers or other equipment may also be responsible for some forms of RSI. Psychosocial forces such as depression and dissatisfaction with work may also contribute to RSI.
Diagnosis	Patients with RSI complain of muscle aching, mild weakness and vague numbness. Physical findings are highly subjective. Typically, there is tenderness, mild swelling and nonanatomic sensory changes. There is no specific test for RSI. An x-ray, bone scan or MRI may be done to rule out other disorders.
Treatment	Nonoperative: Work modification, rest and physical therapy combined with antiinflammatory medication are the initial treatments for most RSI. Education about home and work stresses is also important. Operative: Surgery is rarely indicated for RSI. It should be considered only considered for specific anatomic problems. Typically, the results from surgery are inferior in RSI involving workman's compensation where secondary gain may be an issue.
Prevention	Maintaining an excellent ergonomic environment at work (chair position, keyboard, mouse, etc), keeping in good aerobic shape and participating in a stretching and strengthening program may help prevent some forms of RSI. copyright www.emedx.com