When you experience pain in the same part of the body day after day, you may have a repetitive stress injury. This type of issue comes as the result of overuse and strain.
Working with an overuse injury may cause further damage, and if it continues, you may suffer from a loss of function. Discover more about a repetitive stress injury and how your job may impact it.
What is an overuse injury?
When you perform repetitive movements, it places stress on soft tissue. Over time, the motion may cause permanent damage and pain. You may lose function as the tissue breaks down and swelling impinges nerves.
What is the most common overuse injury?
The most common repetitive stress injury is carpal tunnel syndrome. If your job requires intensive use of the hands, such as typing, you may develop swelling of the medial compartment of the forearm. When this happens, the nerve that runs through the forearm and into the hand becomes compressed. The early symptom of carpal tunnel syndrome is hand pain, but as the condition worsens, you may experience numbness, tingling and reduced grip strength. If left untreated, carpal tunnel syndrome requires surgery.
Will workers’ compensation cover it?
When your doctor diagnoses you with a repetitive stress injury, the medical report should offer a reason for the condition. If the provider cites your job as the reason for the damage, you may have the right to file a workers’ compensation claim. The insurer will want a copy of the doctor’s findings and treatment plan before dispensing benefits to you.
The first step to getting better is a medical diagnosis. Once the ball gets rolling, you may find physical and financial relief after filling a workers’ compensation claim.