overuse syndrome


repetitive strain injury

A work-related injury caused by overuse of a particular musculoskeletal group to perform a task that is repeated hundreds to thousands of times in day-to-day work; repetitive motion injury affects workers in the textile industry, meat-packers, keyboard operators and others.

o·ver·use syn·drome

(ō'vĕr-yūs sin'drōm) Injury caused by accumulated microtraumatic stress placed on a structure or body area.

overuse syndrome

An injury that results from repetitive use or overuse of a part of the body or from external pressure or environmental conditions, that can affect bones, joints bursae, muscles, tendons, nerves or other anatomical structures. Resulting disorders include carpal tunnel syndrome, tenosynovitis, tendinitis, pronator syndrome, peritendinitis, thoracic outlet syndrome, and cervical syndrome. Treatment for these conditions involves flexibility and strengthening exercises; severe or recurrent cases may require immobilization or surgery. There is a growing awareness of the importance of prevention through education, task modification, and workplace design based on ergonomic principles. Synonym: cumulative trauma disorder; cumulative trauma syndrome; repetitive motion injury; repetitive strain injury See: ergonomics