RSI is defined as a medical disorder involving the impaired function of upper limbs of the body due to damaged tendons, nerves and muscles or other soft tissue(s) due to repetitive work-related tasks. The condition typically affects the: forearm, elbow, wrist and hands. It can also occur in the neck and shoulders.
If you have a job that requires repetitive tasks with your hands or fingers or exposes you to vibrating equipment or tools and you feel that you may be suffering with RSI, you should book an appointment with your doctor and contact Mercury Legal Online today about a claim for compensation. If you experience any of the symptoms for RSI such as tingling, numbness or decreased grip strength you need to speak with your doctor as soon as possible about arranging a test for RSI.
RSI typically involves the hands and wrists – or a combination of these. The symptoms of the condition vary usually causes tingling, numbness or tiredness and a lack of strength in the affected limb(s). Often, symptoms may include pain when trying to use the limb affected, leading to the limb becoming difficult to use, resulting in some sufferers being unable to work.
What is The Diagnosis For RSI?
If you notice weakness, tiredness, discomfort or tenderness in your hands, arms or neck and these symptoms persist for more than two or three days, you should book an appointment with your GP or a specialist who’ll be able to diagnose your symptoms and offer you treatment.
Although There’s no single test for RSI it can be diagnosed by your GP from your symptoms. Often the symptoms can go away if you have to give up a job that caused your Repetitive Strain Injury in the first place. Your GP will examine the limb that’s affected and will ask about your symptoms, medical history as well as any repetitive jobs you have at work.
They will be able to diagnose your RSI as either Type 1 RSI or Type 2 RSI. Type 1 RSI can be diagnosed from your symptoms and can be identified a medical condition such as carpal tunnel (CTS), tenosynovitis or tendonitis. If your GP cannot diagnose you for having Type 1 or an associated Type 1 condition (such as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome), then you may require a blood test to rule out inflammatory joint diseases or osteoarthritis. If neither are found, then you will be diagnosed with Type 2 RSI or non-specific upper limb pain syndrome
Work Related Causes of RSI
Repetitive tasks at work over a long period of time are the main cause of Repetitive Strain Injury. People working on production lines, packers and machinists are just some jobs that are prone to these repeated movements at work. Office based jobs that require heavy use of a keyboard, input pad and/or mouse can cause RSI particularly if the duties include data entry , for example in administration or sales order processing, invoicing etc. This is particularly the case if these duties amount to two hours a day and especially when you do not take regular breaks to rest the affected limb or area.
Jobs That Cause Repetitive Strain Injury
Any job that has repeated actions over a long time can add to the risk of developing a Repetitive Strain Injury. Some jobs such as office or assembly line workers are known to be at particular risk. However some of the following professions are also at risk of developing RSI:
- Food Pickers
- Supermarket Checkout
- Data Entry Administrators and programmers
- Factory workers
- Cold Food Processing operatives
- Production line workers
- Long Distance Drivers
- Machine Operators
- Painting and Decorators
- Sewing Machinists
- Manual Labourers
- Maunal labourers using vibration tools
- Packers & Couriers
Individuals who would otherwise have still had a lot to contribute to the workplace have unfortunately had little option other than to cease working, due to the disabling effects of RSI. If you think this may apply to you, then we suggest that you should speak to your Doctor and start a claim online with us.