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Repetitive Motion & Cumulative Trauma Injuries

Following the same routine day after day and completing the same tasks without disruption isn’t only monotonous but physically dangerous. Repetitive motion injuries occur when someone puts a strain on their body by endlessly performing the same physical tasks over and over until an injury develops. Repetitive motion injuries (also known as cumulative trauma injuries) can be difficult to identify. Still, once you know what signs to look out for, it becomes easier to trace the injury back to its root cause.

Most Common Types of Repetitive Motion Injuries:

  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: a pinched nerve in the wrist that leads to numbness and tingling in the fingers. 
  • Bursitis: an inflamed bursa sack, a fluid-filled sack located in the knees, creates friction at a joint rather than lubrication biologically intended. This leads to achy and stiff joints that may look inflamed and be painful to the touch.
  • Tendonitis: Inflammation of a tendon that connects muscle to bone. Common around joints, and presents itself as achy pain and weakness when the joint is moved.
  • Epicondylitis: Also known as tennis elbow. Consists of Irritation of the connecting tissue from your forearm to your elbow, which leads to pain at the elbow and sometimes the forearm and wrist. 
  • Ganglion Cyst: A noncancerous lump that is often found on tendons. Mostly painless, but can limit joint movement.
  • Tenosynovitis: Inflammation of the tendon sheath that connects muscle to bone. Results in a painful and difficult to move joint.
  • Trigger Finger: Inflamed finger tendons that cause your finger to get stuck in a bent position. Often painful.
  • Repetitive lifting, bending, and stooping activities and prolonged standing and walking can also develop injury and symptoms over time without any specific triggering event.  These injuries are compensable.
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Once you have determined that repetitive motion at work lead to your injury, contact the  Law Offices Of Meline & Vargas, A.P.C. Repetitive motion injuries can be difficult to prove, so you are going to want an experienced attorney on your side.

How to Identify a Work-Related Repetitive Motion Injury

 

If you suspect you may be dealing with a work-related repetitive motion injury, then ask yourself the following questions:

 

  • Am I experiencing stiffness and or pain?
  • When does the stiffness or pain occur?
  • When did the symptoms begin?
  • Is the area of the injury related to an area of my body that I use a lot at work? (i.e., if you work as a receptionist who types all day and begins to experience wrist pain, your job duties and injury are likely related)