Repetitive stress injuries are caused by routine. A worker makes the same motion over and over again, and this leads to cumulative trauma.
What this means is that the specific motion itself is not necessarily dangerous on its own. A worker may simply have to pick up parts off of an assembly line, for instance. They can do this easily for months, years or potentially even decades without incident. It is a simple motion.
But the cumulative trauma that this creates leads to repetitive stress injuries. Muscles and tendons are constantly being strained, and this can lead to inflammation. Over time, the pain gets worse and eventually reaches a point where the worker can no longer comfortably perform their job.
How can workers avoid these injuries?
There are potential strategies to avoid repetitive stress injuries. Carpal tunnel syndrome often comes from typing, for example, but an ergonomic keyboard and desk setup may reduce the strain on a person’s wrists.
Additionally, varying a routine can sometimes be helpful. If a worker can spend time doing a different job that requires a different motion, they give their body time to rest. Unfortunately, this is not always possible, depending on the nature of the job. If it requires them to make the same motion over and over, like a construction worker swinging a hammer, there is only so much they can do to break up that repetition.
Seeking workers’ comp benefits
If you have been dealing with repetitive stress injuries and they have slowly been getting worse, you may be looking into your options to get surgery or other forms of medical intervention. As you do, be sure you know if you qualify for workers’ comp benefits and what legal steps to take to get the compensation you need.