Repetitive Trauma at Work

Repetitive motion injury is an injury caused by repetitive motions. Overuse, the repetitive and especially forceful use of any musculoskeletal group or nerves, can result in trauma and injury to these areas. Injuries are cumulative and aren’t caused by a single event.

The most common repetitive motion injuries are due to the inflammation of the tendons or tendonitis. Tendons connect our muscles to our bones. They also help facilitate smooth joint movements. Unfortunately, due to repetitive and forceful motions, tendons get overused, resulting in small tears and painful, sometimes debilitating symptoms. 

Those who work at desk jobs are at risk of developing repetitive trauma. In addition, those who work in the clothing, poultry, manufacturing, construction, entertainment, transport, mining, and sports industries are also at risk. 

The repetitive motions from these industries can also result in carpal tunnel syndrome, epicondylitis, tendinitis, tenosynovitis, diffuse RSI or repetitive strain injury, and bursitis. 

Repetitive strain injury, or RSI, is ubiquitous in the workplace. If you’re working in an industry that has a high RSI risk, you may want to watch for these symptoms: 

• Burning, throbbing, cramping, or shooting pain
• Numbness or loss of sensation in the affected area, frequently accompanied by tremors, incoordination, and clumsiness.
• Weakness in the muscle groups affected by RSI
• Difficulty or inability to perform usual day-to-day activities like buttoning shirts, reaching overhead, chopping vegetables and fruits, typing on the keyboard, reaching behind the back, combing hair, lifting objects, and grasping things, among others
• Quickly tired and low energy

You may also feel a pins-and-needles sensation in the affected areas and see visible signs of inflammation in the joints. 

Many repetitive motion injuries are work-related. This type of injury develops over time as you perform the same activities over and over again for months or even years. 

For example, twisting the trunk, swinging the elbows, or typing for long hours means your muscles and tendons repeat the same motion repeatedly. Over time, these motions can cause minor injuries to the area, resulting in pain, inflammation, and limited joint movements.

If left untreated, the inflammation will affect the nerves supplying the muscles and tendons. The results are muscle weakness and numbness, which can affect day-to-day activities. 

Yes, the workers’ compensation law covers repetitive strain injuries and repetitive trauma from work. You can file a workers’ compensation claim if your injuries are related to your work.

However, before doing so, please let your employer know about your injuries and file a report. You can visit your doctor and have your injuries looked over to get the proper treatment.

Filing a workers’ compensation case may be difficult since your injuries occurred over time and aren’t caused by a single traumatic event. They may be harder to prove compared to other work-related injuries.

If you’re having problems filing a case, seek help from a Sacramento workers’ compensation attorney. They can help handle your case and protect your rights as a worker. They will help you receive fair benefits and compensation for your workplace injuries.