Occupational Overuse Syndrome is an injury commonly experienced in the fingers, hands, wrists and elbows. The muscles and tendons of the smaller joints of the hand and arm can become inflamed through repetitive use or awkward, sustained postures. There is usually no specific incident or injury associated with occupational overuse syndrome with symptoms generally developing over time, initially only when doing a particular task, and potentially worsening to symptoms at rest if the cause of symptoms is not removed or adjusted.
Symptoms
Symptoms of occupational overuse syndrome vary depending on the person, the site and severity of injury and the nature of the tasks undertaken which have resulted in the onset of symptoms. Symptoms commonly include:
- pain
- muscle weakness
- swelling
- numbness
- restricted mobility of the joint
- loss of function.
For more information on other related conditions, follow this link:
musculo-skeletal system disorder
Workplace solutions and adjustments:
In the workplace there are various factors that would assist people with occupational overuse syndrome to better manage their symptoms. These include:
- set up work tasks to minimise repetitive use of the affected arm
- allow task rotation between tasks of a lighter physical nature with those of a heavier nature
- at a computer workstation, ensure the set up allows the upper arms to rest comfortably by the torso when working so they are not reaching out away from the body or the shoulders elevated; avoid resting wrists and isolating keying or mousing action to the hand and wrist - aim to 'spread the load' to the whole arm
- limit work requiring repetitive gripping using the smaller muscles of the fingers and hands
- enlarge grip widths on pens or hand tools
- consider use of anti-vibration wraps on power tool handles.
(Better Health Channel 2007; MDA Internet 2005)
For each of these aspects, solutions are available to support people with this disability:
References:
Better Health Channel 2007, Workplace safety-overuse injuries, Victorian Government Department of Human Services, Melbourne, viewed 1 November 2008, http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/(Pages)/Workplace_safety_overuse_injuries?OpenDocument
Better Health Channel 2007, Computer related injuries, Victorian Government Department of Human Services, Melbourne, viewed 1 November 2008, http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Computer_related_injuries?OpenDocument
MDA Internet 2005, 5th Edition, Presley Reed, MD, viewed 5 March 2007, http://www.mdainternet.com (secure site)