What are Repetitive Motion Injuries?

Repetitive motion injuries are very common. These injuries are caused by repeated motions you do over and over on a consistent basis - such as running, scrubbing a floor, throwing a baseball, and typing on a keyboard. Over time, the wear and tear of the repeated actions cause microscopic tears in the body’s tissues, and the injuries often result in inflammation, tissue damage, or muscle strain.

Common Types of Repetitive Motion Injuries

Common types of repetitive motion injuries include bursitis, tendonitis, and carpal tunnel syndrome. Let’s take a look at them.

Tendinitis

A tendon is a fibrous tissue that connects muscle to bone. Tendons aid in the movement of joints. Tendonitis occurs when a tendon becomes inflamed. Common areas affected by tendonitis are the shoulder, elbow, and bicep. A common symptom of this injury is pain at the site of injury that is made worse by moving the tendon.

Bursitis

Bursae are fluid-filled sacs that help muscles and tendons glide smoothly over bony surfaces or ligaments. They are found throughout the body, including in the shoulder, hip, elbow, and knee. When a bursa becomes inflamed, the condition is called bursitis.

Common areas that develop bursitis are the hip, elbow, and knee. Symptoms include pain and reduced range of motion. Swelling at the joints may also occur.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome often occurs in people who use computer keyboards or who work on assembly lines. The median nerve, which extends down from the forearm into the hand, is affected by this condition. This nerve travels through the wrist via the carpal tunnel. When the median nerve becomes compressed by inflamed and swollen ligaments and tendons in the carpal tunnel, the following symptoms can occur:

Treatment and Prevention of Repetitive Motion Injuries

For most cases of repetitive motion injuries, rest, ice, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used. If these treatment options do not help your condition, you may need a splint, physical therapy, massage therapy, or steroid injections. If the pain won’t go away or becomes too bothersome, consider visiting a pain management clinic for help with a treatment plan.

If you are looking for a Las Vegas pain management clinic, contact Apex Medical Center. We specialize in diagnosing and treating painful conditions. We create individualized pain management plans to help you find the pain relief you deserve.

Image courtesy of yodiyim at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Author
Apex Medical Center

You Might Also Enjoy...

3 Eating Disorders and How They Are Treated

Although most people have heard the phrase “eating disorder,” not as many understand what an eating disorder is, how it’s diagnosed, or what kinds of treatments are available. In this post we discuss the three most common eating disorders.

How Hormones Can Trigger a Migraine

One of the reasons more women than men have migraine headaches is that hormonal fluctuations can trigger migraine. If you suspect your hormones could be causing your migraine attacks, this post is for you.

How Long Does It Take to Recover from Whiplash?

There’s a reason bad things are described as being a “pain in the neck.” When your neck hurts, even turning your head when someone says your name is difficult. Whiplash is a particular kind of neck pain that may last longer than you expect.

Most People Don’t Know This About Depression

Depression is a common mental health issue, but there’s much more to it than you may realize. It affects your mood and may interfere with your ability to concentrate, but did you know depression can also affect your physical health?

Myths and Facts About Group Counseling

The idea of group therapy can be scary, but that’s partly due to misconceptions and common myths about what it is and how it works. In this post we present some of those myths, along with some facts about group counseling you may not know.

Joint Health Tips You Can Start Using Today

You probably don’t spend much time thinking about your joints — until they start to hurt. Then, you may start considering how to protect them! Here are some of our best tips for preserving your joint health.