Call for more action as RSI figures show increase
TOO many people in Scarborough and across the region are suffering with repetitive strain injury (RSI), experts say.
The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) is calling on the Government to encourage employers to do more to prevent and reduce the condition among workers, as the latest figures show no significant improvement in tackling the problem in this region.
Latest regional figures from the Health and Safety Executive (2006/07) show that there has been an increase in the numbers of people in Yorkshire and the Humber affected by musculoskeletal upper limb or neck disorders caused or made worse by work, with 1.13 people per every 100 workers (an estimated 41,000 people) – compared with 1.05 people in 2005/06 (an estimated 39,000 people).
And nationally, the CSP says that there has been little progress in tackling the problem in the past six years.
During 2007/8 there were 213,000 across the country affected by these kind of disorders, and 81,000 were new cases compared with a similar figure of 87,000 people in 2001/02.
Currently, employers have a legal duty to prevent the occurrence of risks of injury or illness, which are reasonably foreseeable in relation to their employees.
However, the CSP says that these latest statistics suggest preventative action to reduce the risk of RSI is still lacking, causing many thousands of workers to develop this debilitating condition.
RSI costs employers around 300 million per year in lost working time, sick pay and administration. An estimated 2.8 million working days were lost in 2007/08 due to RSI, with on average each person
affected taking 13.3 days off sick.
However, RSI is usually preventable or treatable with help from a physiotherapist.
The CSP is calling on Government to:
* make the provision of occupational health services a statutory duty upon employers
* promote the business and social case of providing occupational health services, with a particular emphasis on the effectiveness of early intervention
* and provide incentives to employers, such as tax relief, on the provision of occupational health services.
What is RSI?
The term is used to refer to various kinds of injuries to muscles, tendons or nerves. These injuries are caused by repetitive movement of a particular part of the body.
RSI can also be referred to as upper limb disorder (ULD). This is because the condition often involves the upper part of the body, for example the forearm, elbow, wrist, hands and neck.
Examples of RSI conditions include:
* Bursitis: inflammation and swelling of the fluid-filled sac near a joint at the knee, elbow or shoulder.
* Carpal tunnel syndrome: pressure on the median nerve passing through the wrist.
* Ganglion: a cyst in a tendon sheath, usually occurring on the wrist.
* Tendonitis: inflammation of a
tendon.
* Tenosynovitis: inflammation of the inner lining of the tendon sheath that houses the tendons that control the
fingers and thumbs.
* Trigger finger: inflammation of the tendon sheaths of fingers or thumb accompanied by swelling of the tendon.
RSI can be categorised into two types: type 1 and type 2.
Type 1 RSI includes conditions caused by repetitive tasks but can also occur in people who don't carry out repetitive tasks.
The main symptoms tend to be swelling and inflammation of muscles and tendons. Typical type 1 RSI conditions include carpal tunnel
syndrome, tendonitis, and tenosynovitis.
Type 2 RSI is when a person's symptoms do not fit into one of the above listed conditions. This is usually because there is no obvious
inflammation or swelling in the affected area, merely a feeling of pain. This type is often called non-specific pain syndrome.
How is it caused?
RSI is often caused or aggravated by frequently repeated movements such as a task or leisure activity, for example playing golf or tennis regularly.
As the number of people using computers increases, the chances of developing RSI increases. The repetitive action of typing on a computer can cause painful symptoms in fingers and hands, such as a throbbing pain.
RSI is also linked to many types of repetitive manual work, such as the use of vibrating equipment in factories.
If there are any symptoms, including painful, tingling or swollen hands, elbows, wrists or shoulders, it's important to get treatment quickly. The sooner treatment is started the better the chances of recovery.
Can it be prevented?
You can reduce your risk of RSI by warming up and cooling down the
muscles used, taking regular breaks throughout the day, having an appropriate workstation and seating position, and practising relaxation.
What's the treatment?
Treatment of RSI may include:
* Painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs
* Heat and cold packs
* Elastic wrist supports or firm wrist splints
* Acupuncture, physiotherapy or osteopathy.
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Thursday 24 May 2012
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