Repetitive Trauma Injuries

Repetitive trauma injury is also known as repetitive strain injury, repetitive stress injury, repetitive motion injury, cumulative trauma disorder, occupational overuse syndrome, and regional musculoskeletal disorder. All of these refer to painful injuries resulting from repetitive use of a certain part of the body performed in the normal course of an occupation that causes damage to the tendons, muscles, nerves, and other soft tissues. These injuries occur most often in the wrists, hands, shoulders, and elbows however they are also prevalent in the back, hips, legs, feet, ankles, and neck. There may not always be visible sign of injury, and symptoms include tingling, pain, loss of flexibility and strength, numbness, and swelling and redness of the injured area. Assembly line work, sewing, computer work, music playing, gardening, and carpentry are all extremely common activities associated with repetitive trauma injuries. The leading causes of repetitive trauma injuries include friction, systemic disease, crystal deposits, trauma, and repetitive activity including forceful exertions, sustained or awkward positions, vibrations, and pressing against hard surfaces. If you suffer from a repetitive trauma injury that is a consequence of the physical activity you are required to do on the job, you may be entitled to worker’s compensation for your expenses and suffering.

There are many different forms of repetitive trauma injury. Tendinitis occurs when a tendon (a white tissue that connects bone to muscle and facilitates joint movement) becomes inflamed, often in the biceps, elbow, and shoulders. Trigger finger is also a form of tendinitis that happens when one of your fingers gets stuck in a bent position due to inflammation of the tendons. Bursitis is a repetitive trauma injury that occurs as a result of the inflammation of the bursa sac. A bursa sac is a pouch that develops to pad the area between bone and tendon in areas of the body where friction occurs. Traumatic bursitis, or bursitis that occurs as a result of overuse of the body part, most commonly occurs near the knee, elbow, and hip in people age 35 and under. Carpal tunnel syndrome is a repetitive strain injury that occurs when the blood cannot flow through the hand to the fingers because of the compression of the carpal tunnel in the wrist. Another form of this injury is Dupuytren’s contracture which happens when the connective tissue in the hand toughens over time, causing a hand deformity where fingers bend into the palm of the hand.

If you are suffering from any of these repetitive trauma injury can affect every aspect of your life. Furthermore, if you believe you have suffered from a repetitive trauma injury, it is essential that you seek medical help. If this injury happened at work, and has had serious consequences for you and your loved ones, please contact us today. Our firm understands the many aspects of workers compensation injuries. Our team of attorneys and paralegals are committed to achieving our clients’ goals and protecting their rights. We will work diligently to build a strong case on your behalf. Call today for a free initial consultation at (305)539-9000.

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