A family of muscular conditions that are a result of repeated motions which are performed during normal work or daily activities are called repetitive motion disorders (RMDs). These include conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome, bursitis, tendonitis, epicondylitis, ganglion cyst, tenosynovitis, and trigger fingers.
When a motion is repeatedly used, the tissues responsible for that movement may swell and become fatigued. RMDs can result from both work and recreational activities. Other names for this syndrome are: Cumulative Trauma Disorders, Repetitive Stress Injuries, and Overuse Syndrome.
Mostly, hands, wrists, elbows, and shoulders are affected by RMDs but, they can also involve your neck, back, hips, knees, feet, legs, and ankles. While some people affected may not experience any sign of injury, they may find it difficult to perform certain tasks involving the affected body part.
When this syndrome occurs to a person, their tissues swell and put pressure on the nerves which cause a feeling of tenderness, tingling, numbness, weakness and pain with use.
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Treatment for Repetitive Motion Disorders
To treat RMDs, one needs to reduce or stop the motions responsible for causing the symptoms. You will need to take breaks often from whatever activity you are doing to provide the affected area some rest. You could also opt for stretching and relaxation exercises.
Applying ice to the hurting area is an effective home remedy but if this seizes to curb the pain, you might want to use pain relievers, cortisone, and anti-inflammatory drugs. These will efficiently reduce pain and swelling.
You could also use splints (orthopaedic mechanical devices used to immobilize and protect a part of the body) to relieve the pressure that you may be felling on affected muscles and nerves. Apart from this, physical therapy is available to alleviate the soreness and pain in the muscles and joints.
There can be some severe cases where a surgery becomes inevitable because the symptoms aren’t subsiding and other treatment approaches aren’t working. Preventing further damage to the affected body part may also raise the need of operating it.
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