Repetitive Motion Injuries

Repetitive Motion Injuries

Of the total number of athletic-related injuries in the United States, over 50% are repetitive motion injuries – they’re that common. This costs a lot to the workforce and results in significant losses.

When repetitive motion causes microscopic tears in our tissue faster than our body has a chance to heal itself, it results in inflammation, swelling and discomfort.

There are a number of reasons that can result in a repetitive motion injury such as: trauma, repetitive activity, crystal deposits (like those in gout), systemic diseases (gout, rheumatoid arthritis), and friction.

Bursitis and Tendonitis are two of the most common forms of repetitive motion injury. They’re very difficult to differentiate and even coexist in many cases.

Tendonitis: There is a fibrous tissue connecting our muscles and bones and allowing movements at all our joints throughout the body; this white tissue is called as tendon. Tendons tend to be very strong since they’re required to bear the entire weight of the muscles to which they’re attached. When inflammation occurs on a tendon, that condition is known as tendonitis. This occurs more in males than in females. Most common areas where it occurs are the biceps, the elbow, and the shoulder.

Common symptoms associated with tendonitis: The affected area experiences discomfort and dysfunction and the skin over it may feel warm to touch along with becoming red.

Bursitis: Bursae are the sacks or pouches meant to serve as a cushion or lubricant between the bone and the tendon attached to it. They’re in the shape of small sacks or pouches. When this bursa sac experiences inflammation, the condition is known as bursitis. This is most commonly known to happen on the knees, hips, and the elbows. They’re also different types of this condition, known as traumatic, gouty, and infectious bursitis. Younger people less than 35 years of age usually experience traumatic bursitis.

Common symptoms include: Range of motion decreases and the patient experiences discomfort and tenderness over the affected area. Redness and swelling may also occur. Sometimes when the joint is moved, the patient may experience a sort of crunchy feeling (crepitus) as well.