What is the Best Treatment for Repetitive Motion Injuries?
A repetitive motion injury can best be treated by an orthopedic surgeon. Most repetitive motion injuries cause wearing of the joint or tendon that can only be repaired with surgery. In order to improve function and reduce pain an orthopedic surgeon will usually recommend surgery, depending on the condition.
What is a repetitive motion injury?
Any injury caused by a repeated movement is classified as a repetitive motion injury. In some cases, small movements with the hands like pinching, grasping or typing can cause a repetitive motion injury. In other instances, poor posture or repeated bending or twisting can cause a repetitive motion injury to the back. On top of that, poor ergonomics can cause a repetitive motion injury to the neck. In any instance where the body is forced into an unnatural position for a long period of time, a repetitive motion injury can occur.
Types of repetitive motion injuries
There are many common types of repetitive motion injuries. One of the most common types is called carpal tunnel syndrome. In this, the tunnels in the wrist narrow due to repetitive motion and cause pain and loss of function in the hands. Another type of repetitive motion injury is called thoracic outlet syndrome. This injury causes pain in the shoulder or the neck due to excess pressure placed on certain nerves in the back. One type of repetitive motion injury, epicondylitis, is an injury that causes swelling in tendons that attach to bones. All of these injuries are a result of putting the body under regular, repetitive stress.
Orthopedic surgeons and repetitive motion injuries
Orthopedic surgeons can use a variety of methods to treat repetitive motion injuries. They might treat the injuries by injecting anti-inflammatory or other therapeutic materials i
nto the site of the pain. They might perform an arthroscopic injury in order to remove the pressure from the nerves and remove bone spurs or other problems. In extreme cases, an orthopedic surgeon might perform a joint replacement in order to repair a joint that has completely worn down.
Orthopedic surgeons can be a great help in dealing with repetitive motion injuries. These doctors can recommend invasive or minimally invasive treatment in order to repair tendons or painful joint conditions due to repetitive motion injuries. When a person is suffering from a repetitive motion injury, their ability to function will almost always be affected. In order to remedy this, it is important to discuss such an injury with an orthopedic surgeon.