What are Work Related Neck and Upper Limb Disorders?
Work Related Neck and Upper Limb Disorders (WRNULDs), or Repetition strain injury (RSI) as it is also commonly known, is not a diagnosis but an umbrella term for disorders that develop as a result of prolonged repetitive movements, awkward postures, and other work related conditions and ergonomic hazards. It is most common among assembly line production workers and office workers and is a problem which has become synonymous with computer use and the global trend for increased computer based activities for both leisure and work. This means that aside from the toll in human pain and disability, the condition is also costly in terms of absence from work and compensation. The exact cause of WRNULDs is not clearly understood however it is likely that physical, individual and psychosocial factors combine to place intolerable stresses on the muscles, tendons and nerve tissue of the arms and neck which in time leads to varying musculoskeletal problems.
