RSI - Arms & Hands
What is RSI?

In the recent years RSI, arm and neck - shoulder injuries become an increasing problem of absenteeism of employees. RSI is Repetitive Strain Injury that can be caused by doing the same work with the same muscle group and in the same position day in day out. RSI is used to refer to a host of painful conditions including carpal tunnel syndrome, DeQuervain's syndrome, tendonitis, trigger finger and Ulnar nerve trapped. RSI is very often a computer use injury, which is why the incidence of these conditions has risen so dramatically in the last few years.

RSI is a job related syndrome affecting the neck, upper back, shoulder, arm, elbow, wrist or hand, or a combination of these areas, which leads to impairment and other complications. The rsi syndrome is characterized by disturbance in the balance between load and physical capacity, preceded by activities that involve repeated movements or prolonged periods spent with one or more of the relevant body parts in a fixed position as one of the presumed etiological factors. (Health Council of the Netherlands, The Hague, 2000: Publication No. 2000/22E, p. 18).

RSI is a diffuse disorder of muscle, fascia, tendon and/or neurovascular structures. Some sources include disorders of the lower back and lower extremities in the definition of rsi.

What Causes RSI?

It is obvious that RSI conditions are caused by carrying out repetitive tasks with the same muscle groups, but it does affect some people more than others because of:
  • Postural abnormality, like abnormal shoulder blade (scapula), one shoulder higher than other one, etc. This needs to be assessed by musculoskeletal physiotherapist.  
  • Static position and lack of movements can also contribute to RSI.
  • Overuse of the same muscle group, like computer user are at high risk of RSI.
  • Stress, stress leads to tightened muscles, which can contribute to all sorts of injuries including RSI.
High Risk Groups
  • Computer users, typist
  • Musicians, accountant,
  • Manager, solicitor
  • Dentists, nurses, teachers
  • Manual labourers
  • Hairdressers, beautician
  • Sports persons
  •  Symptoms of RSI
RSI typically involves the neck and upper limb (shoulder, arm, elbow, forearm, wrist, hand); but any part of the body may be affected, including upper and lower back, chest and head.

Burning, numbness, tingling, pins and needles, nerve trapped, pain, fatigue, swelling, redness, crepitus associated with movement, loss of grip strength and muscle weakness, decreased range of motion and stiffness are the main symptoms of rsi.

Treatment of RSI by musculoskeletal physiotherapist

Most of computer users underestimate the importance of RSI, many are unaware of complications, and that can lead to absenteeism and job losses. Employees with rsi symptoms usually wait long time before looking for professional treatment by musculoskeletal physiotherapist.

The recovery and prognosis of rsi depend on enhanced management and adequate musculoskeletal physiotherapist treatment on the right time.

The musculoskeletal physiotherapist is one the main professionals who has the adequate skill to treat rsi patient. In our London private physiotherapy clinic, we are educating rsi patients that they be able to manage their injuries in long term and prevent further complications.

It is now known that most cases of severe RSI start with usual neck-shoulder stiffness, which, if neglected, leads on to unbearable pain, burning or weakness in the arms or hands.

What our London musculoskeletal physiotherapist does for rsi patients
  • Assessment and diagnoses of RSI
  • Treatments include manipulation, mobilisation, traction - stretching, nerve stretching, muscle strengthening exercises, friction, massage, ultrasound, etc.
  • Home exercise and advice
  • Ergonomics and job related corrections
  • Individuals goals
Try to seek musculoskeletal physiotherapist treatment and advice a.s.a.p. because delay could cause more damage and struggle to overcome RSI.

Your musculoskeletal physiotherapist will teach you stretching and strengthening exercises to heal your rsi and will correct your posture to help prevent further damage.

Wrist Pain

Hand and wrist pain can be caused by a variety of RSI conditions. Daily overuse of our arm, hand and wrist can causes injuries such as RSI.

RSI or Repetitive Strain Injury symptoms include arm, elbow, hand and wrist pain. These are very often computer use injuries, but can be caused by any task that requires repetitive motion. DeQuervain's Syndrome, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Tendonitis are three of the most common RSI conditions.

One of the most common job related injuries is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. The carpal tunnel is a canal that runs through the hand and wrist. It is surrounded by bones on all sides with the transverse carpal ligament on the top of that. Running through the carpal tunnel are the tendons that run from the muscles in the forearm, as well as the median nerve. Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve become trapped by swelling of the tendons or other soft tissue in the carpal tunnel. When any of the contents of this canal begins to irritate, then the median nerve becomes compressed. When the median nerve is compressed, numbness and tingling can be present in the hands and fingers, which called carpal tunnel syndrome.

DeQuervain's Syndrome or Tendonitis is a type of RSI that affects the wrists. DeQuervain's Tendonitis is brought on by irritation or swelling of the tendons found along the thumb side of the wrist. The irritation causes the sheath around the tendon to swell, changing the shape of the sheath and making it difficult for the tendons to move as they should. The pain is particularly noticeable when grasping something or making a fist.

Another common RSI that can cause severe wrist pain is tendonitis. This condition refers to the swelling of the tendons, which is been explained in the tendonitis page.

When tendons are overused, they can sustain small tears, which become inflamed. Tendonitis is typically caused by overloading the tendons in the arm, hands and wrists through repetitive tasks such as computer use.

If you have any questions about rsi or if you are concerned about neck-shoulder stiffness and rsi, then contact our musculoskeletal physiotherapist to get the right advice. Please visit our ergonomic and work related injuries  page for more information and advice on how to prevent rsi.

Musculoskeletal conditions that our chartered physiotherapists treat:

Low Back Pain, Disc degeneration, Pregnancy backaches, Arthritis, Whiplash, Sciatica Nerve Trapped, Headache, Pain, Stiffness, Tennis Elbow, Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI), Tendonitis, Osteoarthritis, Postural abnormality, Pre/Post Operation Rehabilitation, ACL Rupture, Hip/Knee Replacements, Ligament Cartilage Tear, Shin Splints, Ankle Sprain, Muscular Tear, job related injuries, aging
For Emergency & Weekend appointments contact us on:

020 7937 6444
0794 016 5305
London physiotherapy now covering Kensington W8, Chelsea SW3, SW10, Notting Hill Gate W11, Hammersmith W6, Shepherds Bush W12, South Kensington SW7, Cromwell road, Knightsbridge SW1, SW3, SW 10, W2 in association with Fitness First gym club for all physiotherapy services.
CP
S
www.roseclinicphysio.co.uk
Private Physiotherapy On-Site Physiotherapy London