Medical history (history of illness) represents an important component in the diagnosis of repititive strain injury syndrome (RSI syndrome; mouse arm). Family history Social history What is your occupation? Do you perform the same repetitive movements every day as part of your job? How many hours a day do you work? Or is the discomfort … Repititive Strain Injury Syndrome (Mouse Arm): Medical History
Musculoskeletal system and connective tissue (M00-M99). Epicondylitis humeri lateralis (tennis elbow/”tennis elbow“). Epicondylitis humeri medialis (golfer’s elbow). Frozen shoulder (periarthritis humeroscapularis) – painful frozen shoulder with increasing pain in the shoulder area, at rest and in motion, which occurs during certain movements and sometimes radiates throughout the arm Subacromial bursitis – bursitis of a bursa … Repititive Strain Injury Syndrome (Mouse Arm): Or something else? Differential Diagnosis
The following are the major conditions or complications that may be contributed to by repititive strain injury syndrome (RSI syndrome; mouse arm): Symptoms and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings not classified elsewhere (R00-R99). Chronic pain Musculoskeletal system (M00-M99) Tendinitis (tendonitis)
A comprehensive clinical examination is the basis for selecting further diagnostic steps: General physical examination – including blood pressure, pulse, body weight, height; further: Inspection (viewing) of affected arm [swelling?] Palpation (palpation) of the painful area [tenderness?] Checking the mobility of the adjacent joints. Loss of strength of the musculature? Orthopedic examination [due todifferential diagnoses: … Repititive Strain Injury Syndrome (Mouse Arm): Examination
Therapy goals Relief of symptoms Restoration of the original functionality of the affected arm Therapy recommendations Analgesics (pain relievers) should be used only for short periods: Antiphlogistics (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, NSAIDs). Local infiltration of cortisone (glucocorticoids); preferably short and low dose.
Medical-device diagnostic procedures such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI; computer-assisted cross-sectional imaging (using magnetic fields, that is, without x-rays); particularly well suited for visualizing soft-tissue injuries) or radiography are not indicated because microtraumas (microinjuries) cannot be detected in the affected tissue.
To prevent repititive strain injury syndrome (RSI syndrome; mouse arm), attention must be paid to reducing individual risk factors. Behavioral risk factors Physical activity Physical inactivity Psycho-social situation Chronic stress High occupational stress Prevention factors Sports activities
The following symptoms and complaints may indicate repititive strain injury syndrome (RSI syndrome; mouse arm): Main symptoms Cold sensation in the affected area Coordination disorders of the arms and hands Loss of strength Paresthesias (tingling; numbness). Pain – diffuse, stabbing Swelling Sensory disturbances Pulling Localization of the complaints Particularly affected are: Elbow Wrists Back of … Repititive Strain Injury Syndrome (Mouse Arm): Symptoms, Complaints, Signs
Pathogenesis (disease development) Originally, RSI syndrome was thought to be caused by inflammatory processes of the tendons. However, in the context of repititive tendonitis syndrome, no causative inflammation can be detected in the affected tissues. Instead, microtrauma (microinjury) occurs in the tissues due to the chronic overuse/misuse caused by the regular, repetitive, rapid movements. Usually, … Repititive Strain Injury Syndrome (Mouse Arm): Causes
General measures Break ingrained patterns of movement, e.g., by incorporating tours of duty (if possible). It is also helpful to place work equipment such as telephone, printer, copier further away, so that their use already leads to a small break. Introduce movement breaks as well as stretching exercises in the daily work routine to relax … Repititive Strain Injury Syndrome (Mouse Arm): Therapy
