Repetitive Stress Injuries (RSIs) are conditions caused by placing too much stress on a joint. These conditions vary in type and severity however most RSIs are linked to the stress of repetitive motions at the computer or overuse injuries in sports. RSI in kids may occur from heavy computer or video game use, texting, playing musical instruments, or the repetitive motion of sports like tennis.
An RSI occurs when stress is placed on a joint, pulling on the tendons and muscles around the joint. When the stress occurs repeatedly, the body does not have time to recover and becomes irritated. The body reacts to the irritation by increasing the amount of fluid in that area to reduce the stress placed on the tendon or muscle.
Conditions that are the result of RSIs include:
- Carpal tunnel syndrome: swelling inside a narrow "tunnel" formed by bone and ligament in the wrist. Often caused by repetitive use of a computer mouse, repetitive typing, writing or filing, carrying bags while traveling for work
- Cervical radiculopathy: disk compression in the neck, often caused by repetitive cradling of a phone on the shoulder or forward head position while driving or on of the computer.
- Lateral Epicondylitis: elbow soreness often called "tennis elbow". Often caused by sports involving rotation of the forearm and wrist. Also can be caused by carrying a heavy purse or briefcase
- Thoracic Outlet Syndrome: compression of nerves exiting the "thoracic outlet" located in the front of the shoulder. Often caused by rounded shoulders/poor posture at the computer.
No comments:
Post a Comment