[Repetitive strain injuries. Forearm pain caused by tissue responses to repetitive strain]. 2002

H Sorgatz
Technische Universität Darmstadt, Fachbereich Humanwissenschaften, Germany. sorgatz@psychologie.tu-darmstadt.de

According to the National Research Council, painful work-related upper limb disorders are caused by different pathophysiological mechanisms, one of which is repetitive strain injury (RSI). Forearm pain, tenderness, and paresthesias are thought to result from a continual risk of exceeding limits of "cumulative trauma load tolerance" (CTLT, cf. NRC 2001) in soft tissue by thousands of high-frequency, repetitive movements. On the other hand, repetitive painful stimulations also produce neuroplastic changes in the spinal and supraspinal nociceptive systems. Thus, repetitive motor and nociceptive impulses become part of the same motor programs, which are also responsible for high-frequency movements and tissue damage. In this way RSI pain may be felt as a task-related response, even after all injuries are completely healed. Consequences of this neuroplastic CTLT model for RSI prevention and therapy are discussed.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D009784 Occupational Diseases Diseases caused by factors involved in one's employment. Diseases, Occupational,Occupational Illnesses,Disease, Occupational,Illnesse, Occupational,Illnesses, Occupational,Occupational Disease,Occupational Illnesse
D010146 Pain An unpleasant sensation induced by noxious stimuli which are detected by NERVE ENDINGS of NOCICEPTIVE NEURONS. Suffering, Physical,Ache,Pain, Burning,Pain, Crushing,Pain, Migratory,Pain, Radiating,Pain, Splitting,Aches,Burning Pain,Burning Pains,Crushing Pain,Crushing Pains,Migratory Pain,Migratory Pains,Pains, Burning,Pains, Crushing,Pains, Migratory,Pains, Radiating,Pains, Splitting,Physical Suffering,Physical Sufferings,Radiating Pain,Radiating Pains,Splitting Pain,Splitting Pains,Sufferings, Physical
D011323 Primates An order of mammals consisting of more than 300 species that include LEMURS; LORISIDAE; TARSIERS; MONKEYS; and HOMINIDS. They are characterized by a relatively large brain when compared with other terrestrial mammals, forward-facing eyes, the presence of a CALCARINE SULCUS, and specialized MECHANORECEPTORS in the hands and feet which allow the perception of light touch. Primate
D011446 Prospective Studies Observation of a population for a sufficient number of persons over a sufficient number of years to generate incidence or mortality rates subsequent to the selection of the study group. Prospective Study,Studies, Prospective,Study, Prospective
D012090 Cumulative Trauma Disorders Harmful and painful condition caused by overuse or overexertion of some part of the musculoskeletal system, often resulting from work-related physical activities. It is characterized by inflammation, pain, or dysfunction of the involved joints, bones, ligaments, and nerves. Overuse Syndrome,Repetition Strain Injury,Trauma Disorders, Cumulative,Injury, Repetition Strain,Overuse Injury,Repetitive Motion Disorders,Repetitive Strain Injury,Repetitive Stress Injury,Strain Injury, Repetition,Cumulative Trauma Disorder,Injury, Overuse,Injury, Repetitive Strain,Injury, Repetitive Stress,Motion Disorder, Repetitive,Overuse Injuries,Overuse Syndromes,Repetition Strain Injuries,Repetitive Motion Disorder,Repetitive Strain Injuries,Repetitive Stress Injuries,Strain Injury, Repetitive,Stress Injury, Repetitive,Trauma Disorder, Cumulative
D002908 Chronic Disease Diseases which have one or more of the following characteristics: they are permanent, leave residual disability, are caused by nonreversible pathological alteration, require special training of the patient for rehabilitation, or may be expected to require a long period of supervision, observation, or care (Dictionary of Health Services Management, 2d ed). For epidemiological studies chronic disease often includes HEART DISEASES; STROKE; CANCER; and diabetes (DIABETES MELLITUS, TYPE 2). Chronic Condition,Chronic Illness,Chronically Ill,Chronic Conditions,Chronic Diseases,Chronic Illnesses,Condition, Chronic,Disease, Chronic,Illness, Chronic
D003937 Diagnosis, Differential Determination of which one of two or more diseases or conditions a patient is suffering from by systematically comparing and contrasting results of diagnostic measures. Diagnoses, Differential,Differential Diagnoses,Differential Diagnosis
D005260 Female Females

Related Publications

H Sorgatz
April 1997, BMJ (Clinical research ed.),
H Sorgatz
September 1989, The Practitioner,
H Sorgatz
March 1997, Lancet (London, England),
H Sorgatz
March 1984, The Medical journal of Australia,
H Sorgatz
January 1983, The Medical journal of Australia,
H Sorgatz
March 1984, The Medical journal of Australia,
H Sorgatz
March 1984, The Medical journal of Australia,
H Sorgatz
June 1997, Lancet (London, England),
H Sorgatz
June 1997, Lancet (London, England),
H Sorgatz
June 1997, Lancet (London, England),
Copied contents to your clipboard!