Repetitive Strain Injury
- Posted on: Sep 1 2014
In his 25 plus years practicing in downtown Brooklyn, Dr. Jeff J. Mollins has diagnosed 
countless cases of repetitive strain injury (RSI). The majority of these patients sustain this injury from work conditions which require repetitive motions. RSI can be very painful, often disabling and must be diagnosed and treated as expeditiously as possible.
The term repetitive strain injury (RSI) is used to describe a range of painful conditions of the muscles, tendons, and other soft tissues. It is mainly caused by repetitive use of part of the body. It is usually related to a task or occupation. Unlike a normal strain following a sudden injury, symptoms of RSI can persist well beyond the time it would take symptoms of a normal strain to ease.
The main cause is frequent and repetitive movements of a part of the body. For example, typing, using a computer mouse, etc. Other factors may contribute, such as poor posture whilst doing the movement, using excessive force whilst doing the movement and not having enough breaks from the task.
Symptoms depend on what the repetitive actions are. In most cases, the symptoms develop in an arm, wrist, hand or neck as these parts of the body most commonly do repetitive tasks. In recent years it is computer operators, typists, musicians, and factory workers (who do repetitive tasks) who most commonly develop RSI, or people who do certain sports which involve repetitive movements.
Symptoms of RSI depend on what the affected area is and can include pain, tightness, dull ache, throbbing, numbness and/or tingling.
The symptoms tend to develop gradually. At first the symptoms may only occur whilst you do the repetitive task and ease off when you rest. In time the symptoms can be present all the time but tend to be made worse by doing the repetitive task. Symptoms can range from mild to severe.
There is no test that a doctor can do to diagnose RSI. Pains in the areas affected by RSI are common and can be due to various causes. Blood tests are sometimes done to rule out inflammatory joint disease. X-rays, scans, or nerve conduction tests may be needed. Otherwise, the diagnosis is usually made on the basis that the condition developed only following a repetitive task and is relieved or partially relieved by rest from that task.
See Dr. Jeff J. Mollins as soon as you feel that a problem may be due to RSI. The earlier the problem is recognized and dealt with, the better the outcome. Some treatment options for RSI are as follows:
- If at all possible, stop or reduce the tasks or activities which seem to be causing the symptoms.
- Look into practical ways of adjusting your work set-up.
- Anti-inflammatory medications are typically recommended.
- Chiropractic treatments with physiotherapy as well as recommendations for proper posture and exercise to strengthen weak muscles.
- Relaxation techniques.
- Steroid injections.
Dr. Mollins can properly diagnose most cases of RSI. He will then implement a proper treatment regimen to get you back to health as expeditiously as possible. Dr Mollins works closely with a large network of referred medical specialists (orthopedists, neurologists, pain management specialists, etc.) so that no matter what type of treatment is needed, he can assist you right away.
Remember, RSI is usually due to repetitive motion that occurs at work. If your RSI is due to your job, then it is classified as a workers compensation injury (just as if you lifted something heavy at work and injured yourself) and you are entitled to the same rights as anyone else who is injured on the job. This means you can be treated for free and miss as much work as necessary (and be paid for your time off from work). When you return to work, you can still receive treatment for free. As always, you MUST go to a certified workers compensation doctor. Dr Mollins (as well as all of his referred medical specialists) are all certified by the New York State Workers Compensation Board to treat injured workers.
Not only can Dr. Mollins treat your RSI but he can also document the injury properly, so you may receive proper compensation.
Posted in: Uncategorized
