What Causes Repetitive Stress Injuries?
Most RSI conditions found in teens are linked to the stress of repetitive motions at the computer or in sports. When stress occurs repeatedly over time, the body’s joints don’t have the chance to recover, and the joints and surrounding tendons and muscles become irritated and inflamed. Certain jobs that involve repetitive tasks — such as scanning items as a supermarket checker or carrying heavy trays as a waiter — can lead to RSIs. Sometimes, playing musical instruments can cause problems from overuse of certain hand or arm movements. Any repetitive movement can cause an injury — even text messaging! Using improper equipment while playing sports is another important factor in RSIs. For example, running in athletic shoes that don’t provide enough support can lead to shin splits and foot and ankle problems. Improperly fitted tennis rackets can contribute to a condition called tennis elbow. Teens may be susceptible to RSIs because of the significant physical growth that occurs in the teen
