RSI, please don’t give me that crap

[Wongo]

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..

[zelk]

Sadly, there is a lot of opportunists around.
Zelk

[dazzler]

Hi Wongo

Are you saying they are lying about the injuries:confused: or were genetically predisposed to the injury.:confused:

Did your company have the 'special keyboards' for these employees before they were injured:confused: or now as a preventative measure to stop others from becoming injured.

Did the company OH and S representatives review the workstations to ensure they were occupationally correct for each individual:confused:

RSI / OOS are documented injuries and are no less 'real' than broken limbs and mental stress.

Seems a strange barrow to push mate:confused:

[MurrayD99]

There can be a problem and it results from static muscular tension. It has nothing to do with repetition and SFA to do with posture and furniture and mice and keyboards. If you take a few seconds to change position and do a bit of a wriggle every so often the problem is mucho reduced. There is software that monitors use and prompts for breaks and has tough settings to get people working again. Costs next to nothing. People using CAD applications etc and almost never moving are more likely to develop symptoms than other computer users. People who don't use computers much won't get RSI from computer use. Unfortunately an industry has been created....

[silentC]

It's a very serious disease. Some people suffer badly from it in the wrist.

[dazzler]

There can be a problem and it results from static muscular tension. It has nothing to do with repetition and SFA to do with posture and furniture and mice and keyboards. If you take a few seconds to change position and do a bit of a wriggle every so often the problem is mucho reduced. There is software that monitors use and prompts for breaks and has tough settings to get people working again. Costs next to nothing. People using CAD applications etc and almost never moving are more likely to develop symptoms than other computer users. People who don't use computers much won't get RSI from computer use. Unfortunately an industry has been created....

Hi Murray,

well I did get it from repetitively typing on a computer but luckily realised something was wrong early on. Went to the dr who arranged for our ohs people to have a look at my workstation.

They made changes such as the bent keyboard and wrist gel raiser things and after a few weeks I was fine.

It wasnt in my head, was actual pain that was annoying not debilitating. Had I put up with it it may have gotten worse who knows:confused:

cheers

dazzler

[Wongo]

Dazzler

No I am sure they are not lying. Maybe they are just physically unfit.

Oh my back is sore, it is the chair. I can’t sit down for longer than 10 minutes. Give me a bed.

[silentC]

It's one of those things, innit? I've been in a job that requires me to sit in front of a keyboard for at least 8 hours a day for over 17 years. Basically every minute of the day, I am typing (a lot of it here ) and I have never had any symptoms that would resemble RSI. I was having trouble with my back for years before I started this game and my back has been 100% better since I put down the tools in 1989. The only thing that stirs it up is physical labour. I guess I was just born to be a desk jockey.

Yet, I know of a number of people who have had this type of injury and who have had much less exposure to keyboards than I have. Don't know why. Maybe there is an RSI gene.

I played in a band with a guitarist who suffered from RSI. He couldn't play for about 6 months. Said it was like touching broken glass whenever he touched the strings. Also met a guy years ago who had to give up the drums because of it.

Glad I don't get it

[Wongo]

People are so precious these days don’t you think?

[RufflyRustic]

While SilentC is correct, his comment doesn't apply to me [edit - referring to post number 5 or maybe I misconstrued SilentC's meaning?]

Seriously though

I do suffer from RSI or whatever you want to call it. I can't use a paintbrush for more than 15 minutes. I can't hit a nail into a piece of wood without resting my arm after 3 hits (one of the reasons why I have preferred to glue/screw joints in the past). Hand sanding is an absolute painful nightmare, but it's all I have to work with at present due to other reasons so I've finally worked out the best way to do this i.e. frequent rests, changing hand holds, body stance and arm movements.

The pain in the wrists/arms became apparant many years ago. The worst time was cramming for an exam by handwriting out the info while sitting in a freezing cold room - big mistake especially when I could barely write the exam the next day. Now, with a bit of trial and error, I've been able to work out what movements hurt and how to get around it, both while using the computer and in my wood/leather work.

Yes, work bought me a natural keyboard years ago and this was the one of the two best aids for me, the other being a good wrist rest for mouse usage.

End result in my humble opinion - RSI exists, it HURTS!! it does stop you doing things, but I don't believe it it insurmountable, or maybe I've just been lucky.

cheers
Wendy

[RufflyRustic]

have to add that I don't agree with some people going overboard on their 'claims', as per Wongo's situation. And I can't really comment on other people's situation as I don't know how it affects them and whether it is truly real or imagined.

Cheers
Wendy


[another edit - or maybe I'm being a little too serious?]

[Gumby]

It's a very serious disease. Some people suffer badly from it in the wrist.

There's quite a few in here with that problem

[silentC]

The worst time was cramming for an exam by handwriting out the info while sitting in a freezing cold room

I don't think that is RSI. I suffer from that if I ever have to write any more than a couple of pages by hand. I get cramps in my hand because I hardly do any writing with a pen any more. Before computers came into my life, this wasn't a problem.

Maybe I've got it wrong, but I thought RSI was caused by inflammation of the carpal tunnels that your tendons run through (that's what the guitarist had, anyway) and it is chronic: it doesn't onyl flair up when you do extended activities, it doesn't get better after a day or two. Maybe someone can correct me on that.

[silentC]

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

[Driver]

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

Don't pull it in too hard or you might get RSI in your neck!