The existence of repetitive strain injury (RSI) as a diagnosis has been historically controversial. Its nature has been explained through competing models of causation generated by different professions. By exploring medical, ergonomic, psycho-social and legal explanations, this paper seeks to inform hand therapists on the basic aspects of this debate and the current thinking on RSI.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
AyoubMA, WittelsNE (1989) Cumulative Trauma Disorders, International Review of Ergonomics2: 217–272.
2.
BammerG, MartinB (1988) The Arguments About RSI: An Examination, Community Health Studies12:3: 348–358.
3.
BammerG, MartinB (1992) Repetition Strain Injury in Australia: Medical Knowledge, Social Movement and deFacto Partisanship, Social Problems39:3:
4.
ChadwickA (2005) in the introduction to MacLaughlin, P, Understanding and Treating RSI, London, Chelsea Press.
5.
ChannaT (2005), Getting People Back to Work, Occupational Therapy New13:1: 31.
6.
CroasmunJ (2003) Ergonomics and the Telecommuter, Ergonomics Today, June 18. www.ergoweb.com, downloaded 22/7/04.
7.
CroasmunJ (2004) Norwegian Companies Look to Ergonomics To Curb Rising Absenteeism, Ergonomics Today, August, 25. www.ergoweb.com, downloaded 13/4/05.
8.
ErelE, DilleyA, GreeningJ, MorrisV, CohenB, and LynnB (2003) Longitudinal Sliding of the Median Nerve in Patients with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Journal of Hand Surgery (British)28:5: 439–43.
9.
European Commission, Directorate for Employment and Social Affairs, Unit D.6 (2000) Guidance on Work Related Stress, European Commission, Brussels.
10.
FeuersteinM, ZastownyTR, HickeyP (1997) Integrating Ergonomics in the Management of Occupational Muskuloskeletal Pain and Disability in: KumarS, Perspectives in Rehabilitation Ergonomics, Taylor and Francis, London.
11.
FordeMS, PunnetL, and WegmanDH (2002) Pathomechanisms of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders: Conceptual issues, Ergonomics45:9: 619–630.
12.
FrancoG (1999) Ramazzini and Worker's Health, The Lancet, 354:9181858–861
13.
GreeningJ (1988) Vibration Threshold Before and After Keyboard Use in Patients with RSI, Office Workers and Controls, International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 71:1: 29–34.
14.
GreeningJ, LynnB, LearyR (2003) Sensory and Autonomic Function in the Hands of Patients with Non-Specific Arm Pain (NSAP) and Asymptomatic Office Workers, Pain104:1-2: 275–81.
15.
Health and Safety Executive, 2005Musculoskeletel Disorders - HSE and MSDswww.hse.gov.uk/msd/hsemsd.htm#uld downloaded 29/7/05 (web page updated 1/7/05).
16.
HelliwellPS (2003) Psychosocial Factors in Diffuse Upper Limb Disorders (Editorial)The Journal of Rheumatology30:1: 7–9.
17.
HMSO (1975) Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 in The Public General Acts and General Synod Measures, part 1, 643–759, HMSO, London.
18.
HMSO (1992) Statutory Instrument 2792, Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations, HMSO, London.
19.
HMSO (1999) Statutory Instrument 3250, Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations, HMSO, London.
20.
KieslerT, FinholtS (1988) The Mystery of RSIAmerican Psychologist, 43:12: 1004–1014.
MacLaughlinP (2005) Understanding and Treating RSI, London, Chelsea Press.
23.
MahmoudA, WittelsNE (1989) Cumulative Trauma Disorders, International Review of Ergonomics, 2, 217–272.
24.
MichaelR (2001) The Office Workstation at Home, Ergonomics Today, May 7. www.ergoweb.com downloaded 22/7/2004.
25.
NovakCB, MackinnonSE (1997) Repetitive Use and Static Postures: a source of nerve compression and pain, Journal of Hand Therapy, 10:2: 151–159.
26.
PearceB (2002) How the Courts are Interpreting HSE Guidance and HSE regulations. An exploratory study of court judgements in personal injury claims for WRULDs. HSE Research Report 010. HMSO, Norwich.
27.
PheasantS (1991) Ergonomics, Work and Health, Macmillan, Basingstoke.
28.
PorterR (1996) ‘What is Disease’ in The Cambridge Illustrated History of Medicine, PorterR (Ed), Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
29.
PritchardMH, PughN, WrightI, BrownleaM (1999) A Vascular Basis for Repetitive Strain Disorder, Rheumatology, 38: 636–639.
30.
RichardsonB (2003) Rehabilitation of Work-Related Upper limb Disorders and Ergonomic Workplace assessment-Can more be done?British Journal of Hand Therapy8:4: 134-139.
31.
SilvermanS (2005) The Consequences of Litigation: The court's approach to ‘RSI’ claims. Taken from an address made to the national RSI Conference, Birmingham, UK.
32.
StorerE (1992) From Paralysis to Fatigue: a history of psychosomatic illness in the modern era, Free Press, New York.
33.
Trades Union Congress (2005) taken from an address by Robertson, H to the national RSI Conference, Birmingham, UK.
34.
WhitePD, HendersonM, PearsonRM, CodrickAR, WhiteAG, KiddBL (2003) Illness Behaviour and Psychosocial Factors in Diffuse Upper Limb Pain Disorder: A case control study. The Journal of Rheumatology30:1: 139–145.
