Potential Medical Conditions
Computers are used everywhere. More and more people sit in front of computers for longer periods of time. Some nerve, tendon and muscle disorders (musculoskeletal disorders) may be associated with repetitive activities, improper work environments, and incorrect working habits. Examples of musculoskeletal disorders that may be associated with certain forms of repetitive activities include: carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinitis, tenosynovitis, de Quervain's tenosynovitis and trigger finger, as well as other nerve, tendon and muscle disorders.
WARNING
Prolonged or improper use of a computer workstation may pose a risk of serious injury. To reduce your risk of injury, set up and use your notebook in the proper manner described. Please note that precautions can be taken in order to prevent physical discomfort.
For more information, please refer to: Setting Up a Healthy Work
Environment → Reducing the Risk of Injuries.
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Although some studies have shown an association between increasing hours of keyboard use and the development of some musculoskeletal disorders, it is still unclear whether working at a notebook causes such disorders. Some doctors believe that using the keyboard and mouse may aggravate existing musculoskeletal disorders.
Note
Contact a doctor if you experience pain, tenderness, swelling, burning, cramping, stiffness, throbbing, weakness, soreness, tingling and/or numbness in the hands, wrists, arms, shoulders, neck, back and/or legs.
Repetitive Strain Injury
Repetitive Strain Injury is caused by a constant tension of the muscles in your arms and by making the same repetitive movements with fingers, wrist and elbow when controlling the mouse. The symptoms are pain and stiffness in neck, shoulders, arms, wrists and hands. Other symptoms are cramps, tingling and exhaustion in these areas.
The Three Stages of Repetitive Strain Injury
Real Repetitive Strain Injury pain implies that the problems have persisted for a longer period of time, normally for a minimum of three months. The development can be divided into three stages:
•Stiffness, numbness, irritation, sometimes in combination with light or sharp pains. These problems disappear, but return when similar work is done.
•The problems do not disappear overnight. Continuous light pain, also after a period of rest. After a longer period of rest (holidays) the pain does go away, but returns easily when similar work is done.
•Continuous pain often combined with reduced strength and less accurate control. At work, the pain intensifies. When rested, the pain remains.
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