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AMTA E-News
February 2010
Tendon Tendencies: How To Reduce Painful Disorders
Just as a
well-oiled machine functions better than a rusty one, our bodies
need smooth, healthy tendons to move freely and without
friction. Tendons are bands of strong, smooth fibres that attach
muscles to bones to enable the joints to move easily.
Some conditions in the workplace put workers at risk of
developing tendon disorders. If you have pain in areas over a
tendon or it is tender to the touch, swollen, or red and you
feel the movement is restricted, you may have tendinitis or
tenosynovitis.
Tendinitis
Tendinitis describes a condition in which the tendons become
swollen. Doing tasks that are repetitive or for a long period of
time, or that involve awkward or stationary postures, vibration,
and localized mechanical stress, can tear tendons fibres apart
like the way a rope becomes frayed. Tendons that are injured can
become thickened, bumpy and irregular over time and if they are
not given the time and rest needed to heal, can become
permanently weakened.
This disorder is common in the shoulder, especially among
workers doing jobs that involve awkward postures such as
overhead work, arm elevation, and specific postures that include
bending and elevating the arm.
Jobs that require repeated or forceful movements of the fingers,
wrist and forearm can cause tendonitis of the elbow, also known
as “tennis elbow”. Tendinitis of the elbow is often associated
with simultaneous rotation of the forearm and bending of the
wrist, stressful gripping of objects with inward or outward
movement of the forearm, or jerky, throwing motions – as is
often seen in tennis players but can also occur in the
workplace. Tendinitis of the hand and wrist is often linked to
assembly line work, meat processing, manufacturing, knitting,
typing, and piano playing.
Tenosynovitis
Tenosynovitis is an inflammation of the tendon sheath. The
sheath produces a fluid that keeps the tendon lubricated.
However, prolonged activities, forceful exertion, awkward and
static posture, vibration, and localized mechanical stress can
cause the lubrication system to not work properly. The sheath
either fails to produce enough fluid or produces fluid with poor
lubricating qualities. This creates friction between the tendon
and its sheath and results in inflammation, swelling and other
problems.
Tenosynovitis occurs in the palm side of the wrist and hand, and
in the back of the hand and wrist.
Treatment of tendon disorders
Tendon disorders rarely require surgery. Treatment usually
consists of staying away from activities that cause or aggravate
the disorders, or pain relief through non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs, ice or heat, friction massage,
stretching and strengthening exercises, transcutaneous (through
the skin) electrical nerve stimulation or ultrasound. However,
some of these methods have yet to be fully evaluated.
Treatment can only be effective if the workplace gets involved
to ensure that the activities that caused or aggravated the
disorder in the worker are avoided. This participation is
essential to help prevent the condition from persisting or
recurring.
Prevention is key
The prevention of tendon disorders should include identifying
and reducing the risk factors. Work practices and equipment
should be designed to reduce repetitive movements, awkward
postures and the amount of time a worker must spend in one
position without moving. Jobs should also be designed to lessen
the need for significant force to be used and encourage rest
breaks to be taken.
Prevention efforts should also include training and education
that is organized, consistent and ongoing. Everyone at work,
including workers, managers, health and safety representatives,
has a role to play and must get actively involved.
Source: www.ccohs.ca
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