special subjects
Work Related Repetitive Motion Injuries
Treatment
Rest Analgesics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and physical therapy For tendinitis, corticosteroid injection For bursitis, drainage For nerve entrapment, a splint or brace and possibly corticosteroid injections or surgery Treatment of work-related repetitive motion injury includes resting the affected area. Workers may need to be placed on transitional duty (also known as light duty or modified duty) if their normal job duties cannot be done without the repetitive motion that caused the injury. Depending on the type and severity of the injury, transitional duty may last for weeks to months. If job duties that include the repetitive motion are resumed too early, the injury may recur, resulting in return to transitional duty and ultimately increasing the time spent in transitional duty. Workers should be instructed to avoid home activities that exacerbate their injury. Medical therapy for work-related repetitive motion injury includes analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs. NSAIDs are typically effective for short-term relief of pain caused by repetitive motion injuries, and they speed resolution of tendinitis and bursitis. Physical therapy may benefit workers with repetitive motion injuries and may speed recovery. Fortendinitis,injection of a corticosteroid over the affected tendon relieves pain in the short term; however, corticosteroids are not necessarily effective long term and may have adverse effects such as scarring, tendon weakening, and tendon rupture. Forbursitis,with gross swelling or that may be infected, drainage of fluid in the affected bursa, with or without injection of a corticosteroid, relieves pain and may speed recovery. After drainage, a compressive dressing (eg, elastic bandage) may reduce the reaccumulation of fluid. Fornerve entrapment syndromes,use of a splint or brace may relieve symptoms. If symptoms are severe or persist, referral to an orthopedic surgeon for corticosteroid injections and possible surgical intervention may be necessary. 