We searched Pubmed, Embase and the Cochrane Library from the dates that these databases begin up to December, 2005, for studies on pathophysiology, epidemiology, prognosis, diagnosis, and treatment of repetitive strain injury. Detailed search strategies for diagnostic and therapeutic studies are available from the corresponding author. Studies about pathophysiology, epidemiology and prognosis were identified by use of the MESH terms or free text words: “pathophysiology”, “epidemiology”,
SeminarRepetitive strain injury
Section snippets
Epidemiology
Repetitive strain injury arises frequently in adults of working age, with many people reporting strains of the hands, wrists, arms, shoulders, or neck. Repetitive strain injury complaints are common in the general population and are a frequent reason for visiting the general practitioner.9 Several countries report a prevalence of 5–10% for non-specific complaints of strain that interferes with day-to-day activities,10, 11, 12, 13 but rates could be as high as 22–40% in specific working
Pathophysiology
Several hypotheses for the pathophysiology of repetitive strain injury exist, but none has been strongly supported by scientific evidence. Despite initial distal presentation, this disorder seems to be a diffuse neuromuscular illness.41 Mechanical (elastic deformation of connective tissue due to increased pressure within muscles) and physiological (electrochemical and metabolic imbalances) reactions might cause damage to muscle tissue and lead to complaints of strain. Continuous contraction of
Diagnosis
No gold-standard tests for repetitive strain injury exist. In most cases, diagnosis is made on the basis of history and physical examination, including assessment of range of motion of joints, hypermobility, muscle tenderness, pain, strength, and imbalance between right and left limbs.41 Some clinical tests are used for specific disorders. For example, Phalen's test, Tinel's test, and measurement of nerve conduction velocity are highly sensitive and specific for diagnosis of carpal tunnel
Non-specific work-related repetitive strain
Exercise therapy is a useful treatment for patients with non-specific work-related repetitive strain presenting to primary care physicians or physiotherapists. Exercise seems to provide symptom relief and improve activities of daily living.56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63 Manual therapy, such as osteopathy or chiropractic could be useful in some patients.56, 64 If one kind of therapy does not reduce symptoms, multidisciplinary rehabilitation programmes are recommended, although no strong evidence
Conclusion
No consensus exists on use of the term repetitive strain injury (or any other term), and little is known about the pathophysiology of this disorder. Evidence about risk factors is increasing but the relative effects of such risk factors are not well understood, and commonly used diagnostic tests for specific strain injuries have no empirical support. Yet, repetitive strain injuries occur frequently, especially in workers, and many people with specific or non-specific symptoms will seek advice
Search strategy and selection criteria
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2020, Robotics and Computer-Integrated ManufacturingCitation Excerpt :By contrast, modern lifestyles are generally more sedentary and typically involve a narrower range of more repetitive movements. Consequently, modern lifestyles lead to reduced range and reduced ease of fascia movement [26–29]. As different people have different combinations of sedentary inactivity and repetitive movements in their daily lives, different people have different patterns of restrictions in their fascial tissue, which take shape around each individual person's particular anatomical asymmetries [30].