Cumulative Trauma Disorders
Repetitive use of your upper extremities – the hand, elbow, and wrist over time can cause pain, swelling, and limited motion. This can hinder your daily activities, and reduce workflow and productivity.
Treating and preventing CTDs with physical therapy is effective for relieving symptoms associated with CTD.
Contact a physical therapist at Polygon PT, to diagnose your condition, and create a treatment plan for you.
What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Cumulative Trauma Disorder (CTD) is referred to the excessive wear and tear of muscles, tendons, ligaments, sensitive nerve tissues, and joints caused by repetitive use over a long period of time.
CTD is can also be referred to as repetitive trauma disorder, overuse symptoms of repetitive strain injuries. It is common to the hands, wrist, and elbow.
According to the American Academy of Family, Physicians, CTDs are a major occupational challenge in the US. affecting at least 3% of the adult population.
The effects of CTD are seen over an extended period of time and as people age. If left untreated, these effects can become permanent.
Common types of cumulative trauma disorder include:
- carpal tunnel syndrome
- Bursitis
- ulnar nerve entrapment
- ganglionic cysts
- wrist tendonitis
- epicondylitis (elbow)
- ulnar nerve entrapment
- Raynaud’s Syndrome (hand-arm vibration syndrome)
- DeQuervain’s Tenosynovitis
What Causes Cumulative Trauma Disorders?
CTDs can be caused by several factors. Chief among them is the repetitive use of the injured area.
Other causes include:
- Awkward posture and position
- Holding the body in a position for long periods without rest
- Improper work techniques
- Excessive pulling, pushing, gripping, or lifting
- Improper work station setup
- Fast movement of body parts. For example, swinging your arms
Other risk factors are vocations such as construction work, carpentry, typing, painting, and sports such as football, and old that require repetitive motions
How are Cumulative Trauma Disorder Diagnosed?
At polygon PT, we diagnose CTDs by performing a physical examination of the affected area, taking into consideration the symptoms and prior medical history. We also walk closely with your doctor for imaging tests such as X-ray or an MRI-scan to check for underlying effects and symptoms.
What Treatments are Available for Cumulative Trauma Disorder?
Physical therapy is effective for treating CTDs as it eliminates the need for painkillers or surgery.
At Polygon PT, your therapist will create your treatment plan. This will likely include
- Rest, to give the area time to heal
- Manual therapy to relieve pain, muscle spasms and improve blood flow
- Strength and motion exercise to improve flexibility
- Ice on the affected area to relieve pain and reduce swelling
- Braces or splints to limit motion while the area heals
- Education on proper body mechanisms and posture
- Tips to improving workplace ergonomics (workstation design)
Surgery is almost never needed for CTDs. however, in rare and severe cases, surgery will be performed to treat the condition.
Treating CTDs with surgery doesn’t eliminate the need for physical therapy. Post-operative rehab is needed to restore the full motion and strength of the affected areas.
How are Cumulative Trauma Disorder Diagnosed?
Proactive measures can be taken to prevent CTDs. Some of these measures include:
- Improve workplace ergonomics. This includes getting a good chair that can be adjusted several ways and using comfortable work furniture
- Avoid slouching and other forms of improper posture
- If your work requires you to sit for long take short breaks in between
- Adapt techniques that help to reduce pressure on the hand, wrist, and elbow especially for vocations and sports that are risk factors
- Stretch tired muscles and limbs to relieve tension and improve circulation
- Use proper work tools
Physical Therapy for Cumulative Trauma Disorders - Get Started Today!
If you are at risk of CTD or have started developing symptoms of any CTD type, physical therapy is an effective way of relieving and preventing symptoms.
Don’t wait until you start experiencing symptoms or the symptoms become permanent. Get help today! Request an appointment with a physical therapist right away.