repetitive stress injury (RSI)

Collective name for physical disorders that arise from continual use of equipment (such as computer keyboard and mouse) involving quick movements of fingers, hands, and wrists that can damage their (as well as those of neck and shoulder) muscles, tendons, and nerves. Several symptoms such as aching, cracking, numbness, pain, swelling, tingling, loss of joint movement, loss of strength, and diminishing coordination of the injured area, may come and go before becoming chronic. The patient must stop the activity causing any such symptom and seek immediate medical attention, because a difference of a day or two can mean the difference between a quick recovery and a long, drawn-out ordeal. According to one US study, 63 percent of workforce suffers from such injuries. RSI is not a diagnostic but a descriptive (symptomatic) term that covers many causes and many manifestations, such as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, De Quervain's Syndrome, Tendovaginitis, Tennis Elbow, Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, and Ulnar Nerve Entrapment. Called also Cumulative Trauma Disorder (CTD) or Occupational Overuse Syndrome (OOS).