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Potential Medical Conditions
Potential Medical Conditions
Potential Medical Conditions
Potential Medical Conditions
Computers are everywhere. More and more people sit in front of computers for longer periods of time. Some
nerve, tendon and muscle disorders (musculoskeletal disorders) may be associated with repetitive activities,
improper work environments, and incorrect working habits. Examples of musculoskeletal disorders that may
be associated with certain forms of repetitive activities include: carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinitis,
tenosynovitis, de Quervain's tenosynovitis and trigger finger, as well as other nerve, tendon and muscle
disorders.
WARNING
Prolonged or improper use of a computer workstation may pose a risk of serious injury. To reduce your risk
of injury, set up and use your computer in the manner described in the
'Arrange your Equipment'
section.
Please note that precautions can be taken in order to prevent physical discomfort (see
'Reducing the Risk
of Injuries'
).
Although some studies have shown an association between increasing hours of keyboard use and the
development of some musculoskeletal disorders, it is still unclear whether working at a computer causes
such disorders. Some doctors believe that using the keyboard and mouse may aggravate existing
musculoskeletal disorders.
Note
Contact a doctor if you experience pain, tenderness, swelling, burning, cramping, stiffness, throbbing,
weakness, soreness, tingling and/or numbness in the hands, wrists, arms, shoulders, neck, back and/or legs.
Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI)
Repetitive Strain Injury is caused by a constant tension of the muscles in your arms and by making the same
repetitive movements with fingers, wrist and elbow when controlling the mouse. The symptoms of RSI are
pain and stiffness in neck, shoulders, arms, wrists and hands. Other symptoms are cramps, tingling and
exhaustion in these areas.
From Monks to Video Games Users
Repetitive Strain Injury might seem a modern age disease, caused by the increasing use of computers at
work and at home, but monks already caught it in the Middle Ages. In the 16th century the Italian doctor
Ramazini described the same symptoms among monks writing bibles day in day out in cold and dark rooms.
In later centuries similar symptoms like knitting-, telegrapher-, hairdresser- and violin arms occurred more
often. The latest versions of RSI are caused by minor movements of the thumb when operating the joystick
of a game console.
The Three Stages of Repetitive Strain Injury
Real RSI-pain implies that the problems persist for a longer period of time, normally for a minimum of three
months. The development can be divided into three stages:
•
Stiffness, numbness, irritation, sometimes in combination with light or sharp pains. These problems
disappear, but return when similar work is done.
•
The problems do not disappear overnight. Continuous light pain, also after a period of rest. After a longer
period of rest (holidays) the pain does go away, but returns easily when similar work is done.
•
Continuous pain often combined with reduced strength and less accurate control. At work, the pain
intensifies. When rested, the pain remains.
