Working in construction can take its toll on your body. Sudden and catastrophic accidents can lead to severe injury when you work around heavy machinery, but repetitive stress injuries are just as much of a reality and potentially just as life-altering.
Reducing the odds of repetitive stress injuries is often a matter of using tools properly and avoiding overexertion. It is also important to understand the most common types of repetitive stress injuries and to minimize aggravating factors when such an injury becomes likely.
1. Back injuries
Injuries to the back, specifically the spine, can occur as a result of constant bending or stretching such as when a job requires frequent lifting. Good lifting techniques can mitigate the effects of accumulated strain, but proper recovery is necessary when cumulative trauma builds up.
2. Joint injuries
Joint injuries, or tendinitis, occur when the tendons in a joint become inflamed from constant or extreme exertion. Construction workers regularly strain their fingers, wrists, knees and other joints day after day with little rest.
3. Neck and shoulder injuries
Lifting, holding or reaching for objects overhead puts pressure on the neck and upper back. Damage to the rotator cuff is a common result of this type of strain, making it painful or impossible to perform similar lifting without thorough medical treatment.
Repetitive stress injuries can be costly to treat when they build up to a severe level and the pain can put you out of work for extended periods of time. It is crucial that you take advantage of your workers’ compensation benefits to facilitate a smooth and stress-free recovery.