Repetitive motion disorders

NINDS Repetitive Motion Disorders Information Page
Skip secondary menu
Home
Disorders A - Z ...

Repetitive motion disorders (RMDs) are a family of muscular conditions that result from repeated motions performed in the course of normal work or daily activities.

Repetitive motion disorders occur most commonly in the hands, wrists, elbows, and shoulders, but can also happen in the neck, back, hips, knees, feet, legs, and ankles.

Repetitive motion disorders develop because of microscopic tears in the tissue. When the body is unable to repair the tears in the tissue as fast as they are being made, inflammation occurs, leading to the sensation of pain.

Many diseases, injuries, body chemical imbalances, tumors, repetitive motion disorders, exposure to toxins, or genetic inheritance can cause it. Peripheral neuropathy can also vary in symptoms, severity and rate of cure depending upon the cause.

Injury from overuse of a joint
Nerve entrapment or compression (pinched nerve), such as of the ulnar nerve in the arm
Repetitive motion disorders
Sprains and strains
Stress fractures
Tendon rupture ...

See also: Injury, Symptom, Surgery, Arthritis, Trauma