RSI stands for Repetitive Strain Injury. It has also been referred to as “Cumulative Trauma Disorder�. The injuries have in past been caused by using keyboards. In past decades, typewriters were to blame, but more recently, computer keyboards are the culprit. It is thought that the more modern the device, the more likely it is to cause injury. Flat, light-touch keyboards are suspected as being the worst causes of RSI. However the user can also be at fault. High-speed typing increases the risk.
In a world where efficiency is valued (the ‘time=money’ phenomenon), and employers advertise a minimum typing speed for positions, clerical workers are at a more increased risk now more than ever.
The injuries are caused by the degenerative action of reusing the same muscles in similar movements repetititvely. RSIs are damage to tendons, nerves and muscles (soft tissues) in the fingers, wrists, hands and arms. Sometimes shoulders are affected also. Across the Internet there has been an embracing of RSI, which has including an affectionate, lay-persons renaming. “Nintendo Thumb� eludes to the reality of other media (like games consoles) as being responsible for RSI. Many people have claimed to be the original ‘namer’. One said:
Even the fact that the RSI has manifested itself as such a simple, common term indicates that although it has been experienced by it’s name-givers, they have either failed to identify their condition as being RSI, or, in my opinion more likely, they never knew a formal term existed. This shows that suffering may be much more widespread than anticipated.
Symptoms of RSI relating to the arm area include:
When RSI is left undiagnosed and untreated, and at its worst stages, it can cause chronic pain and permanent disability (Marxhausen, 2004).
1. Flwrchild(username) (2001) Ouch! My Thumb is Purple, But it’s so Worth it! Epinions page: http://www.epinions.com/content_23972187780 8/9/04
2. Gardner, Dr I et al(1998) RSI Consensus Statement The Australasian Faculty of Ocupational Medicine website. http://www.racp.edu.au/afom/rsi.htm 2/9/04
3. Marxhausen, P (2004) Computer Related Repetitive Strain Injury personal website http://eeshop.unl/rsi.html 2/9/02
childrens health-media connection
BronwynRees 10:44, 25 Oct 2004 (EST)
