Repetitive Motion Injuries Lecture Powerpoint

Question 1

Ergonomics

Answer 1

Science and practice of designing jobs and workplaces to match the capabilities and limitations of the human body, to “fit the job to the worker”, goal is to create jobs, tools, equipment, and workplaces that fit people well to prevent injuries and have other benefits

Question 2

Work related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD)/repetitive motion injuries (RMI) definition

Answer 2

Injuries that occur when ergonomics in the workplace are not matched well, affect soft tissues of the body, usually develop gradually (insidious) but can sometimes appear acutely, can be serious and may have permanent sequale if not recognized and addressed early

Question 3

Common symptoms of repetitive motion injuries (7)

Answer 3

• discomfort
• burning
• pain
• swelling
• stiffness
• numbness/paresthesias
• loss of ROM

Question 4

Risk factors for repetitive motion injuries (4)

Answer 4

• repetitive motions
• repeated impact
• high duration, frequency, intensity with decreased rest time
• awkward postures (arms over head, tight spaces with wrists bent, squatting, etc for more than 2 hours a day)

Question 5

Which is stronger, extensors or flexors?

Answer 5

Flexors are stronger typically

Question 6

Neutral posture definition

Answer 6

Good posture that places least amount of stress on joints and muscles

Question 7

How can awkward postures be reduced in the workplace

Answer 7

-simple fixes such as platforms, workstation height changes or taking breaks for stretching

Question 8

Dynamometer

Answer 8

Measures hand grip strength, used in occupational medicine to determine baseline and progression or recovery from high hand force repetitive motion injury

Question 9

Grip technique

Answer 9

Power grip with all fingers is 5x stronger than pinch grip

Question 10

Highly repetitive motion definition and what extremities is it most common in?

Answer 10

Identical motion performed again and again with limited to no rest in between, most often involves the hand, wrist, arm, and shoulder, often require activity more than 2-4 hours a day

Question 11

When discussing repetitive heavy lifting with a patient, important to consider not just the weight they lift but…

Answer 11

….how many times a day they lift

Question 12

When lifting at the waist, not only have to lift the object, but also…

Answer 12

…the weight of the upper body

Question 13

Hand arm vibration syndrome

Answer 13

Muscle weakness, fatigue, and pain in hands often working into arms and shoulders and progressing potentially into vibration induced white finger caused b extended use of vibrating tool

Question 14

Vibration induced white finger

Answer 14

More advanced stage of hand arm vibration syndrome that is also known as dead finger or dead hand and is the result of extended use of vibrating tools and may appear a long time after, is the result of impaired circulation in the fingers

Question 15

Carpal tunnel syndrome

Answer 15

Occurs from chronic swelilng of flexor tendons within carpal tunnel of the wrist, see pain in first 3 finers, first half of 4th finger, and base of thumb, paresthesias, see positive tinels and phalens and nerve conduction studies, treated with cock up wrist splint, nsaids, corticosteroid injections, surgery

Question 16

Carpal tunnel syndrome

Answer 16

Occurs from chronic swelilng of flexor tendons within carpal tunnel of the wrist, see pain in first 3 finers, first half of 4th finger, and base of thumb, paresthesias, see positive tinels and phalens and nerve conduction studies, treated with cock up wrist splint, nsaids, corticosteroid injections, surgery

Question 17

Cubital tunnel syndrome

Answer 17

Caused by resting elbow on hard suraces such as unpadded table for hours, causes ulnar nerve impingement pressure on medial aspect of elbow and symptoms felt in ring finger and little finger causing numbness and paresthesias (tingling)

Question 18

Lateral epicondylitis

Answer 18

Tendonitis of wrist extensor tendons near origin also known as tennis elbow, see pain in lateral portion of elbow over the lateral epicondyle, pain aggravated with activitites such as grasping, pushing, pulling, and lifting, as well as pain with resisted extension**, treated with cockup splint, mods,corticosteroid injection

Question 19

Diagnostic test for hand arm vibration syndrome

Answer 19

• arteriography
• skin thermography
• sensory tests like 2 point discrimination

Question 20

Hand arm vibration syndrome treatment options (3)

Answer 20

• smoking cessation
• antivibe gloves
• discontinuation of equipment

Question 21

Rotator cuff injury

Answer 21

Pain is most common symptom often with night pain that is aggravated as well in activities where arm must be put in overhead position, located anterolateral and superior of shoulder, can be tested with neer impingement for suspected impingement, empty can test, drop arm test, strength testing indicative of rotator cuff tears, if largely pain then tendonitis, if largely weakness then more likely a tear

Question 22

Strain of low back vs herniated nucleus pulposis

Answer 22

Strain is muscle spasm vs herniation is more of a radiculopathy, has positive straight leg raise