RSI, please don’t give me that crap

[Wongo]

I am not a harsh person am I? But it is an office job, hardly the toughest job in the world. If people have trouble using computers then maybe they should find a job away from it.

I am not a drinker and that’s why I never wanted to be a wine taster.

[jow104]

I suffered from RSI, visited the local health service etc. etc. and cured the problem myself around 5 years ago, I stopped playing or learning to play the piano!

So if you suffer nausea when you put your head in a gas oven, you can cure the problem very easily, dont do it.

Same with RSI.

[dazzler]

Hi Wongo

No i dont think you are harsh, misguided in this one single application perhaps .

A couple of things. An injury is an injury whether its driving a dozer, flying an F111 or driving a computer. Under the OHS act all employees must be given every protection that is reasonable from injury. (hence all the new fangled keyboards/desks/chairs etc)

Your company doesnt pay the bills, the insurance company pays the bills through the policy they carry. (if they are paying the bills then there is something amiss ). If the company continues to experience injuries the policy may be increased.

Unlike the bad old days maintaining a fruadulant claim is very difficult if the insurer and doctors are doing their job properly.

Here is a personal example, I wonder what you think...

Over a ten year period i dislocated both my knees in violent arrests. The right i did three times, two during arrests and once on a work m/c crash. The left I did once during an arrest and once running.

After the first on the left a new surgeon did an exam of both and said that my knees were predisposed to dislocation as they tracked wrong. Two lateral releases realigned them.

Should I be covered? I was predisposed to injuring them so am partly to blame?

cheers

dazzler

[Eddie Jones]

OK, I've had a quick read on it and it looks like I'm talking about Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, which is just one of many conditions loosely grouped under RSI. SO I'll pull my head in

Re Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Been there, had that, got the scar to prove it!

[arose62]

My random thoughts:

"Is RSI/Carpal Tunnel real?" Yup.

1) I'm in IT, and am amazed that most keyboard users can't touch type:eek:
If you've been using a keyboard for a while, it takes about 3 days to break the "look where you're going to type" cycle.
If you're in front of a PC, the keyboard is your professional tool - learn to USE IT!!

2) After I'd been touch typing for about 3 years, my wrists started to hurt by the end of each day, so I tried something different - I switched to the Dvorak layout, and bought a MS Natural keyboard. No problems since.

"Are people too precious?" Yup.

1) After breaking my shoulder at work just over a year ago, I've been amazed that various Dr.s and physios have been amazed at my progress.
Apparently the norm for workers comp cases is NOT to actually try to get better, do your exercises, do your stretches etc., but to "doctor shop" until they find one who'll say they need a payout.:mad: :eek:

2) The day after the Doc gave me my "suitable duties" certificate, I was employed again. What's "unemployment" ??

Cheers,
Andrew

[keith53]

A couple of workmates have been on sick leave for a while now. Both claimed to have suffered from RSI (Repetitive Strain Injury) or OOS (Occupational Overuse Syndrome). One female joined us 3 years ago and had been on and off work ever since. The company is paying all her medical bills.

I mean if you can’t use a computer or a mouse then tough luck. Yes the company is partly responsible but surely it can’t be entirely their fault. Let’s face it, if you are physically incapable of using a mouse then maybe you should not work at all.

Secondly, why is everyone one ordering one of those special keyboards, mouses and mouse pads. They cost the company a fortune.

The world is going mad again.

I know it is not my money but..

Wongo,

Surely you don't mean a private enterprise company? Couldn't be!! I was always under the impression that RSI only struck employees of Governments & Telstra.

Looks like its spreading. I'd better be on my guard.

[craigb]

I used to get bad pain in my right shoulder and arm. It got so bad that I didn't have any strength in the arm at all. Couldn't really lift anything of any weight.

So I changed the position of my mouse to the left side of the PC.

Problem solved.

It took a few weeks for the arm to get back to normal though.

The other thing is that it really stuffs people up when they try and use your PC.

[jow104]

I used to get bad pain in my right shoulder and arm. It got so bad that I didn't have any strength in the arm at all. Couldn't really lift anything of any weight.

So I changed the position of my mouse to the left side of the PC.

Problem solved.

It took a few weeks for the arm to get back to normal though.

The other thing is that it really stuffs people up when they try and use your PC.

I gave up using a mouse around 4 years ago.
A stylus and pressure board have never given me any gip since. The cost has come down to around £30 in the UK from chain store type outlets.

[Mike Abbott]

A couple of workmates have been on sick leave for a while now. Both claimed to have suffered from RSI (Repetitive Strain Injury) or OOS (Occupational Overuse Syndrome). One female joined us 3 years ago and had been on and off work ever since. The company is paying all her medical bills.

I mean if you can’t use a computer or a mouse then tough luck. Yes the company is partly responsible but surely it can’t be entirely their fault. Let’s face it, if you are physically incapable of using a mouse then maybe you should not work at all.

Secondly, why is everyone one ordering one of those special keyboards, mouses and mouse pads. They cost the company a fortune.

The world is going mad again.

I know it is not my money but..

I realise that the RSI thing apparently contracted from over use of a computor mouse may sound a bit like over-acting. However I would like to assure you that the injury is very much legitimate as I have suffered two lengthy bouts myself.

The injury is very debilitating and takes a long time to recover from (nearly 12 months). In my case I initially could not even hold a screwdriver or any other tool in my right hand. I had no strength in my arm and ended up becoming left handed for nearly 12 months until the injury healed. My employer went to great lengths to help with the recovery.

Work Place injury statistics are indicating that RSI from computor use is becoming one of the most common injuries in the workplace. Employers would be well served to obtain advise on correct setup of computor workstations. There are Occupational Advisors who specialise in providing this advice.

I hope this helps to ease your annoyance.

[Auld Bassoon]

After using a #7 or #8 for about four hours more or less non-stop, followed by a couple of hours with a smoother, my arms and shoulders ache. Does this count?

[ozwinner]

Gees guys, I have been laying bricks for over 30 years, and apart from the odd period of pain I can still do the job.

Must be all those limp wrists you have.

Al

[keith53]

Gees guys, I have been laying bricks for over 30 years, and apart from the odd period of pain I can still do the job.

Must be all those limp wrists you have.

Al

You've struck the nail right on the head Al. Fitness and proper ergonomics are the crux of the matter. You can't use muscles infrequently or for lengthy periods and not expect to have some physical reaction.

As a former weightlifter I can tell you that complimentary exercise is very important. Use a muscle one way for a while then work it the opposite way. Mouse users traditionally don't do this. OH&S practice suggests a few minutes of exercise away from the computer every hour. This can help and there are plenty of suggestions available.

As a brickie, you're not doing the same thing all the time. You're bending, lifting, extending your arms, flexing your wrists with the trowel, etc. etc. but not all at the same time. Complimentary exercise. Actually, I take my hat off to you guys. I think bricklaying and concrete work shouldn't be performed by anyone over 30.

Cheers,
Keith

[Stuart]

So the reason I don't have RSI from computer work, is I do complementary opposite exercises.....

So here it is - for every 10 minutes with the mouse, spend an hour drinking beer/coke etc.

For every 10 minutes sitting at the computer, spend an hour chatting with the helpdesk, having a laugh at the latest list of PEBKACs

Works for me

[Gumby]

Gees guys, I have been laying bricks for over 30 years,

I think there's a cream which will help.

[ozwinner]

I think there's a cream which will help.

Ya get used to it after a while.

Al :eek: