JENKINTOWN PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEYS

Moving is good, but when you do the same motion over and over, it can put strain on your muscles and cause a repetitive motion injury. Think of doing too many squats. The right amount will help make you strong, but too many will strain your muscles and have you hobbling the next day.

Repetitive motion injuries often affect those who have jobs that require them to repeat the same motion throughout the work day. When you do too many squats, you can choose to take a day off and switch up your exercise routine. When you have a sore wrist from eight hours of typing, you can’t say I’m going to stop and paint walls till I feel better. You have to do your job day after day in order to stay employed and earn your paycheck.

Workers at high risk for repetitive motion injuries include office workers, cashiers, assembly line workers, musicians, construction workers, and anyone who has a computer-based job. These injuries can occur in any body part, including the neck, shoulders, elbows, wrists, hands, back, hips, knees, legs, ankles, and feet.

There are several ways that doing your job can cause a repetitive motion injury.

• Repetitive motion: Doing the same task throughout the day puts strain on the tendons, joints, and muscles or causes muscle fatigue.
• Excessive duration of motion: Using the same muscles time after time can cause muscle fatigue, which makes the muscles susceptible to injury.
• Forceful exertion: Frequent over-exertion puts stress on the tendons, joints, and muscles.
• Poor posture: Awkward positioning puts the body out of alignment and puts strain on the muscles and joints.
• Compression: When a body part is pressed against a hard or sharp surface, blood flow to the muscles, tendons, and nerves in that area is reduced. This can cause numbness, a pins-and-needles feeling, and other changes in sensation. If blood flow is restricted for too long, tissue damage can occur.
• Vibration: Constant vibration from machinery, power tools, or background noise can put stress on the whole body or on individual body parts.

Repetitive motion disorders include:

• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Cubital tunnel syndrome
• Radial tunnel syndrome
• Tendonitis
• Bursitis
• Epicondylitis
• Ganglion cyst
• Tenosynovitis
• Trigger finger
• Thoracic outlet syndrome

Most repetitive motion injuries are treatable. Treatment may be as simple as regular breaks, stretching, and strengthening exercises. However, some injuries will continue to get worse unless the employee can reduce or stop the motions that caused the injury. It may be necessary to take time off to allow the injury to heal.

Treatment for a repetitive motion injury may include:

• Physical therapy in order to relax and stretch the injured body part
• Pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medications
• Splinting to relieve the pressure on the injured nerves
• Surgery
• Ergonomic adjustment of the employee’s work area

If you have a repetitive motion injury, you may feel stuck between a rock and a hard place. If you report your injury, you will have to cut down on work hours, and you can’t afford to do that. If you don’t, your pain will continue. As Philadelphia workers’ compensation attorneys, we offer this advice: get your injury treated. Without care, your injury will get worse. If you postpone treatment, you risk permanent damage. Most employees have the right to receive workers’ compensation while recovering from a repetitive motion injury and the right to return to work after the injury has healed.

If you are suffering from a repetitive motion injury and you have questions about Pennsylvania workers’ compensation or your rights as an injured worker, request a free copy of our book,Your Guide to PA Workers’ Compensation. If you have any problems with your employer, contact Mednick, Mezyk & Kredo at 215-545-1870. Our Philadelphia workplace injury attorneys offer free consultations to injured workers.