In the busy world of work, where tasks are often done over and over, it is important to watch out for injuries that can happen from doing the same motions all the time. These injuries can happen to anyone, such as office workers or people who do physical labor.
By knowing about these issues, people can seek workers’ compensation after an injury at work.
Carpal tunnel syndrome
One of the most common injuries from doing repetitive tasks is carpal tunnel syndrome. This happens when a nerve in a person’s wrist gets squeezed because they are doing the exact same movements over a long period of time, like typing or working on an assembly line. Signs include numbness, tingling and weakness in the hand and wrist.
Tendonitis
Another common injury is tendonitis, which happens when the tendons in an individual’s body get worn out from doing the same movements too much. It can cause pain, stiffness and swelling in the wrists, elbows or shoulders. Workers who lift heavy items, type a lot or reach up high all the time are more likely to get tendonitis.
Rotator cuff injuries
If a person’s job involves reaching up high or lifting things multiple times, such as a construction worker or a painter, they might be at risk for rotator cuff injuries. This is when the muscles and tendons around a person’s shoulder get hurt from doing the same movements too much. Signs of a rotator cuff injury include pain, weakness and not being able to move the shoulder like normal.
Epicondylitis
Epicondylitis, also called tennis elbow or golfer’s elbow, happens when the tendons around a worker’s elbow get inflamed from doing the same gripping or wrist movements all the time. This can happen if they use tools or operate machines a lot.
Repetitive use injuries are common at work. Staying aware of what options an individual has for workers’ compensation can boost this person’s confidence when deciding what to do after an injury.