RSI – Repetitive Strain Injury

RSI – Repetitive Strain Injury

Many of us associate personal injuries with accidents such as road traffic accidents, a slip or trip and work involving manual labour. However, how many of us realize that sitting at our desks in a regular office can have a detrimental effect on our health and cause us some significant injuries?

Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) occurs in approximately 1 in 50 office workers in the UK and it is estimated that nearly 5.5 millions working days were lost due to the condition last year alone!

So, what is RSI?

The condition is a strain caused to the muscles, tendons and other areas of soft tissue. It is caused by a repetitive action to that particular part of the body i.e. typing at a keyboard; particularly if your work station is not correctly set up.

You are likely to experience pain, numbness and tingling in the affected area and it could be felt in either one or both of your upper limbs. This will depend on which is your dominant limb and the type of work or activity which has caused the condition.

RSI can develop over as long as a number of years! Once it is noted by the sufferer however, it is often constant and can be very uncomfortable and painful.

What exactly causes RSI?

The main cause, as mentioned above, is the repetitive movement of a particular party of your body e.g. working at a computer, typing, moving the mouse etc.

Other factors may contribute to the injuries, making them worse:

• Poor posture
• Not taking enough breaks from the repetitive task
• Using excessive force i.e. typing to hard on the keyboard
• Poorly arranged workstation
• Work equipment which is poorly designed

Can RSI be treated?

Yes! The easiest solution is to stop/reduce the task or activity which is causing the problem. This, unfortunately, will not be an option for many as it will be their job which is causing the RSI. However, speak with your Employer, they may be able to reduce your workload or arrange for an alternative role for you.

If the above is not an option then painkillers, physiotherapy treatment and relaxation techniques can all help to curb the symptoms.

Make sure you Employer arranges for you to have a work station review as well to ensure that your desk and the equipment you are using i.e. your computer, are set up correctly.

If your Employer fails to make any provisions to help you then you may be entitled to make a personal injury claim against them. Seek legal advice from an specialist personal injury lawyer, like me, to determine your prospects.