Chronic Pain? It Could Be a Repetitive Stress Injury

You might not realize it, but activities you do every day — even something as seemingly simple as working at a computer — can be hard on your body. When you perform the same motions over and over, joints, muscles and tendons in the affected area can become damaged, causing a repetitive stress injury, also called an overuse injury.

“Any activity that requires you to repeatedly use the same part of the body can lead to overuse injuries, including house work and playing sports,” says Betsy Sears, physical therapist at the Beaufort Memorial Outpatient Rehabilitation. “Even when these activities are a part of your regular daily routine, you can take steps to prevent injuries from getting worse and help them heal.”

Injuries in (Repetitive) Motion

Also called repetitive motion disorders or repetitive strain injuries, repetitive stress injuries occur when overuse causes the compression of nerves or tissues or inflammation in a muscle, tendon or joint. Over time, the compression or inflammation can lead to limited mobility and structural damage. There are many different types of repetitive stress injuries, but some examples include:

• Carpal tunnel syndrome: Compression of a nerve across the front of the wrist
• Rotator cuff injuries: Conditions that affect or damage the tendons that hold the shoulder in its socket
• Runner’s knee: Pain in and around the kneecap
• Stress fractures: Very small cracks in bone
• Tendinitis: Inflammation of a tendon
• Tennis elbow: Damage to the tendons on the outside of the elbow

Read More: Head Off Sports Injuries Before They Happen

While some people run, work and type for years and never have a problem, other people can develop overuse injuries relatively quickly. Repetitive activities that contribute to these injuries include:

• Doing carpentry work
• Gardening
• Playing musical instruments
• Playing tennis or golf
• Playing video games
• Sewing
• Working at a computer
• Working on an assembly line

In addition to the activities themselves, the following risk factors can contribute to repetitive stress injuries:

• Carrying heavy objects
• Fatigue
• Poor posture
• Stress
• Using vibrating equipment
• Working in cold temperatures

4 Common Symptoms of Repetitive Stress Injuries

In most cases, symptoms of repetitive stress injuries start gradually and become worse over time. Four common symptoms include:

1. Aching, burning or throbbing pain
2. Numbness or tingling
3. Stiffness and weakness
4. Swelling, redness and warmth

Read More: How to Prevent Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

What to Do for a Repetitive Stress Injury

“If you start to notice signs of a repetitive stress injury, don’t brush them off,” Sears says. “There are things we can do to prevent pain and other symptoms from getting worse and help the injury heal.”

You can also take the following steps to prevent injuries during your daily activities:

• Take frequent breaks while doing the repetitive activity. For example, be sure to get up and stretch often while working at your computer.
• Practice good posture and make sure your work area is ergonomically correct, which means your desk, computer screen and chair are set up in a way that minimizes strain on your body.
• Use an ice or heat pack on the affected area. You can do this for up to 20 minutes at a time, every two to three hours.
• Take over-the-counter pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen.

While periods of rest can help, remember not to avoid the activity for more than a few days at a time. Too much rest can lead to weakness and stiffness in the affected area.

Time to See a Doctor?

If your discomfort doesn’t improve with home remedies or continues to get worse, make an appointment with an orthopedic specialist. Treatment options might include:

• A splint: Wearing a splint or brace can limit repetitive movements that cause symptoms.
• Physical therapy: A physical therapist can show you exercises to strengthen muscles and tips for adapting activities to improve your symptoms.
• Steroid injections: These can ease swelling and pain.
• Surgery: If other options don’t bring relief, there may be surgical options to correct your injury.

Read More: Give Shoulder Pain the Cold Shoulder

Sometimes, preventing a repetitive stress injury is difficult, because the culprit is often an activity that’s vital to your daily life. But by taking breaks and making adjustments when you notice symptoms, you can prevent the injury from worsening. With proper treatment, repetitive stress injuries can heal and no longer affect your daily life.

Have symptoms of a repetitive stress injury? Request an appointment with an orthopedic specialist at Beaufort Memorial.