Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI)

Last updated on January 8th, 2016 at 04:00 pm

What are WRULDs and RSIs?

‘Work related upper limb disorders (WRULDs)’ is a term used to describe a number of different medical conditions involving chronic incapacitating hand and arm pain and disability.

These conditions are sometimes known as cumulative trauma disorder (CTD) or repetitive strain injury (RSI) and are commonly linked to occupational causes, although they can occur naturally.

Historically, conditions labelled RSI were linked with jobs such as keyboard operators, but WRULDs can be caused by sustained posture, or from the non-repetitive handling of heavy loads as well as by repetitive actions, i.e. by a single strain or trauma, not necessarily a repetitive or cumulative one.

What are the symptoms of WRULDs?

Common symptoms of WRULDs include:

Pain
Weakness in the hands
Loss of grip
Tingling
A feeling of cold or numbness in the hands
Swelling of hands or limbs
Pains or cramps in the upper back, shoulders or neck.

Symptoms may be mild at first but can become more serious if not addressed at an early stage. They might eventually become debilitating and make it difficult or impossible to carry out common everyday tasks.

Medically, WRULDs relate to an array of conditions including:

Carpal tunnel syndrome
Tenosynovitis (de Quervain’s syndrome)
Epicondylitis (often referred to as tennis elbow or golfer’s elbow)
Hand arm vibration syndrome (HAVS)
Vibration white finger (VWF)
Tendinitis
Bursitis
Trigger finger

Are employers responsible?

Employers have a legal duty to provide a safe workplace and prevent injury to their employees. Where necessary work practices and working environments need to be adapted to suit the worker and avoid any possible injury.

If your employer is negligent and fails in this duty and you suffer a WRULD or RSI, you may be able to claim compensation for the injury you have suffered.

How can Graysons help?

We have a team of personal injury experts who specialise in this field of law and have successfully claimed compensation for sufferers of repetitive strain injury and work related upper limb disorders.

We can advise you on making a no win – no fee claim and will ensure that you get the maximum compensation to which you are entitled.