Repetitive strain injury

As Repetitive Strain Injury Syndrome ( short RSI, english repetitive strain injury, injury by repeated stress / load ') is used in medicine refers to a disease in which non-specific complaints such as neck, shoulder, arm and / or hand complaints activities occur after often repetitive ( repetitive ). Are particularly affected those little but very monotonous loads (eg computer workstation ) exposed. In the latter case there are enough frequent stereotyped movements in the operation of computer mouse or keyboard to trigger these symptoms. Sports seems to be able to prevent RSI. A change of anatomical structures has not yet been demonstrated. Is defined the clinical picture of specific diseases such as carpal tunnel syndrome and tendonitis, which are summarized under the term cumulative trauma disorders ( CTD).

Prevention

To prevent RSI, are a good sitting posture, an ergonomic workplace (especially office chair ) and regular breaks from work and a lot of movement of great importance. An ergonomic computer workstation includes, for example, an ergonomic height adjustable and swivel office chair with armrests, an ergonomic keyboard (v- shaped bent to achieve a natural and uninhibited arm position ), possibly a palm rest below the keyboard, a sufficiently large adjustable in height and angle screen, an ergonomically designed mouse and enough room to stretch your legs. Also there for the computer numerous alternative input methods, such as voice software or graphic tablets, which allow a more relaxed hand and forearm position as a computer mouse. In addition, there are various software products that are reminiscent of micro breaks.

A lot of writers recommend that you enter program commands with the keyboard shortcuts ( such as Ctrl C to copy or Ctrl V to paste ) instead of the mouse.

Recognition as an occupational disease

In several industrialized countries, the clinical picture of insurance is recognized as such, including the U.S., Australia [ not in the source ] and the UK. In the UK, an investigation determined around 2006. 4 million sufferers, triggered by SMS typing. In Australia and the USA RSI is now regarded as an occupational disease number one. The Netherlands and Denmark have initiated programs to effectively protect screen employees before RSI. In a Dutch hospital since the beginning of 2013, the intermittent vacuum therapy is offered as a possible treatment of RSI syndrome. In Germany the syndrome end of 2006, however, even among doctors and orthopedic surgeons still largely unknown.

In Germany, the various forms of RSI are not automatically lead to occupational diseases. The Administrative Court of Göttingen, however, has for the first time recognized a tendonitis by mouse operation as an occupational disease in 2006. A similar ruling has taken on August 14, 2011, the Administrative Court of Aachen.