What are characteristics and symptoms of repetitive motion injuries or cumulative trauma disorders?
Characteristics may: Occur from a single event or result from a build-up of tissue damage from many small injuries Take weeks, months or years to develop Produce no symptoms or exhibit no findings on medical tests in their early stages Be associated with contributing factors present in work tasks and in home or recreational activities Differ in symptoms and severity from individual to individual even though their work tasks or other activities are similar Symptoms may include: Pain from movement, from pressure or from exposure to cold or vibration Change in skin color from exposure to cold or vibration Numbness or tingling in a hand, wrist or arm Decreased range of motion in the joints Decreased grip strength Swelling of a joint or part of finger, hand, wrist, arm, shoulder Fatigue or difficulty in sustaining performance, particularly of small muscle groups
