Cumulative Trauma Disorder (CTD)

Question 1

What is cumulative trauma disorder (CTD)?

Answer 1

-trauma to soft tissue caused by repeated force

Question 2

CTD is also referred to as ___ and ___.

Answer 2

• overuse syndrome

- repetitive strain injury

Question 3

Is CTD a diagnosis?

Answer 3

• no

- only indicates the mechanism of injury

Question 4

Potential diagnoses resulting from CTD include….

Answer 4

• tendinitis
• nerve compression syndrome
• myofascial pain
• cervical, thoracic, and lumbar OA or nerve root impingement
• thoracic outless syndrome
• rotator cuff tear
• bursitis
• epicondylitis
• cubital tunnel syndrome
• carpal tunnel syndrome
• de Quervain syndrome

Question 5

What are several (8) work-related risk factors for CTD?

Answer 5

• repetition
• high force
• direct pressure
• vibration
• cold environment
• poor posture
• female gender
• prolonged static position

Question 6

Potential symptoms (5) of CTD include…

Answer 6

• muscle fatigue
• pain
• chronic inflammation
• sensory impairment
• decreased ability to work

Question 7

There are five grades (I-V) of CTD according to ___.

Answer 7

-severity

Question 8

What characterizes Grade I of CTD?

Answer 8

-pain after activity, resolves quickly

Question 9

What characterizes Grade II of CTD?

Answer 9

-pain during activity, resolves when activity is stopped

Question 10

What characterizes Grade III of CTD?

Answer 10

• pain persists after activity, affects work productivity

- objective weakness and sensory loss

Question 11

What characterizes Grade IV of CTD?

Answer 11

• use of extremity results in pain up to 75% of the time

- work is limited

Question 12

What characterizes Grade V of CTD?

Answer 12

• unrelenting pain

- unable to work

Question 13

OT intervention during the ACUTE phase of CTD consists of…

Answer 13

-reduction of inflammation and pain through static splinting, ice, contrast baths, ultrasound phonophoresis, iontophoresis, high-voltage electric and interferential stimulation

Question 14

OT intervention during the SUBACUTE phase of CTD consists of…

Answer 14

• slow stretching
• myofascial release
• progressive resistive exercise as tolerated
• proper body mechanics
• education on identifying triggers and returning to acute phase treatment with flare-ups
• static splinting during activities that cause pain

Question 15

The 5 phases of CTD intervention and recovery are…

Answer 15

1. acute
2. subacute
3. return to work (work site analysis and assessment as well as work simulation activities in therapy)
4. functional capacity evaluation
5. work hardening