JENKINTOWN PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEYS

Have you heard of carpal tunnel syndrome? This injury often affects those who spend the majority of each day at a computer and those who work on assembly lines. Symptoms include numbness, tingling, pain, or weakness in the hand that radiates up the arm.

Carpal tunnel is a common type of repetitive motion disorder, a category of workplace injuries caused by repeating the same movement day after day. There are many types of repetitive motion disorders. Carpal tunnel is the best known.

• Carpal tunnel syndrome:  Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when repetitive motion causes swelling inside the wrist. The swelling pinches the nerve that runs from the forearm to the palm of the hand.  Carpal tunnel is treated with splinting, medication, and physical therapy. Severe cases may require surgery.
• Tendonitis: A tendon is a band of tissue that connects a muscle to a bone. When a tendon becomes inflamed from repetitive use, the pain is known as tendonitis. Other names for tendonitis are tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, pitcher’s shoulder, swimmer’s shoulder, and jumper’s knee. Symptoms include tenderness, swelling, and pain with movement.  Treatment for tendonitis includes medication, physical therapy, and, in severe cases, surgery.
• Bursitis: Bursitis is the inflammation of a bursa, fluid-filled sac that provides cushioning in the spaces between the bones, tendons, and muscles that make up the joints. The symptoms of bursitis include swelling, tenderness, and pain with movement. Mild cases can be treated with rest, ice, and medication. More severe cases may require physical therapy, corticosteroid injections, or surgery.
• Ganglion cyst: A ganglion cyst is a soft-tissue tumor that occurs at the top of a joint or on the covering of a tendon. A ganglion cysts feels like a spongy or firm lump under the skin. They are especially common in the hands and can cause a constant, aching pain. Most cysts are easily treated with aspiration (removal of the cysts’ contents using a needle) or surgery.

Each of these conditions is treatable if treatment is started early. Ignoring a repetitive motion injury can result in permanent disability or loss of function. If you suspect that you are suffering a repetitive motion injury, make an appointment to see your doctor. Tell your doctor about your job and how you think it is contributing to your injury.

If your job is the cause of your repetitive motion injury, your medical expenses and lost wages may be covered by Pennsylvania workers’ compensation. To learn more, request a free copy of

Your Guide to PA Workers’ Compensation. If you have questions or need help getting coverage for your repetitive motion injury, please contact the Philadelphia workplace injury attorneys at Mednick, Mezyk & Kredo at 215-545-1870.