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Workers Compensation and Repetitive Motion Injuries

Many people think of workers slipping and falling or an equipment malfunction when the topic of workers compensation comes up, but the reality is that there are a wide variety of work related injuries that people can seek treatment for through workers compensation that have nothing to do with sudden workplace accidents.

New York State Workers Compensation Board (CO3541-2) certified chiropractic professional, Dr. Mollins, has been providing care to injured workers throughout Brooklyn and the greater New York City area for more than 25 years. Dr. Mollins regularly sees patients who have developed repetitive motion, or stress, injuries gradually over time as a result of their job responsibilities.
Repetitive motion injuries, also known as repetitive strain injuries (RSI), such as carpal tunnel, involve the muscles, tendons and other soft tissue. Though RSI includes a wide range of painful conditions, but carpal tunnel is among the most widely recognized.

There are many jobs that leave people susceptible to repetitive motion injuries, such as those that require manual labor, and office workers who are on their computers all day, chefs, and those in numerous other occupations can be affected.

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is caused by compression of the median nerve which travels through the carpal tunnel at the wrist. CTS symptoms include numbness, tingling, and eventually weakness in the thumb and the index, middle, and ring fingers. Here are some common causes of carpal tunnel:

Inflammation of the flexor tendons: The most common of the bunch, this usually occurs as a result of overuse of the hands associated with repetitive tasks computer typing, line work, playing an instrument, sewing or knitting.
Bone misalignment: There are eight “carpal bones” and if one becomes misaligned, it can cause the floor of the tunnel carpal tunnel ligament to tighten, which narrows the tunnel and compresses its contents. Ouch!

Some workers have jobs that require a tight grip on vibrating tools, like jackhammers, chain saws, hand buffers, or grinders. This gripping action every day, for hours each day, can irritate the inside of the carpal tunnel.

If workers have old injuries, like a past wrist fracture for example, this can wear down the hyaline cartilage (smooth covering on joints) over time and may result in spurs that can compress the nerve. Inflammatory arthritis, like rheumatoid, can also add pressure to this area.

Don’t assume that your injury won’t be covered by workers compensation just because it may be a condition that occurred gradually over time. Visit the Brooklyn office of workers compensation chiropractic professional Dr. Mollins.

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Posted in: Injury Treatment, Work Injuries