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The body is susceptible to damage under many conditions, whether
at work or play. Joints can suffer injury from performing repetitive
motions over long periods of time. This type of "wear and tear"
can affect tendons, muscles, and sensitive nerve tissue. These disorders
are called "repetitive" or "cumulative" traumas,
since they occur over a long period of time. This distinguishes
them from "acute" trauma such as cuts, bruises, and falls,
which occur immediately.
Disorders in the hands and arms are often categorized as tendonitis
and nerve compression. We often think of a back injury as caused
by a single event, like lifting a heavy load. However, more than
likely, the injury resulted from the cumulative effect of improper
bending, twisting, and poor posture.
| Risk |
Prevention |
| Repetition |
Reduce the number of motions. Use
assistive equipment when available. Eliminate unnecessary lifting. |
| Force |
Keep arms low and elbows close to
the body. Keep frequently used items "easy to reach." Avoid
reaching. Hold loads close to your body when lifting. |
| Posture |
Keep the wrists in neutral position.
Stand erect, use back support while sitting. Never twist. |
| Vibration |
Isolate the hand from vibration. |
| Cold |
Provide insulation. |
| Deconditioned individuals |
Learn (and practice) flexibility
exercises, proper lifting techniques, healthy work and living
habits. |
Our occupational medicine team provides job site visits and recommendations.
Please call (321) 434-8878 to schedule a visit.
Health First Occupational Medicine main page
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