special subjects
Work Related Repetitive Motion Injuries
Diagnosis of Repetitive Motion Injuries
A doctor's evaluation Sometimes nerve conduction studies or magnetic resonance imaging Doctors base the diagnosis of repetitive motion injury mainly on the location of the pain and the movement that causes pain. They suspect a specific disorder as follows: Tendinitis: When movement of a tendon causes pain and when the tender feels tender when it is pressed (palpated) Bursitis: When the area over the bursa is swollen, red, or warm or when people have unexplained pain worsened by movements that involve a bursa Compression of a nerve: When a worker has abnormal sensations in areas supplied by certain nerves Doctors also ask detailed question about the person's work history to confirm that the injury is work-related and to identify what type of repetitive movement caused the person's symptoms. However, testing is sometimes needed. Sometimes Electromyography and Nerve Conduction Studies are done to help confirm that a nerve is compressed. If doctors suspect that a tumor or an abnormal bone growth is compressing the nerve, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be done. 