How Common Are Workplace Repetitive Stress Injuries?
Carpal tunnel syndrome, bursitis, and tendonitis. Have you been diagnosed with one of these debilitating conditions known as a repetitive stress injury (RSI) — also referred to as a repetitive strain injury (also RSI)? If so, you’re not alone. A recent National Health Statistics Report shared by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) outlined how at least 9% of adults aged 18 and over reported suffering from one of these conditions in the previous three months of 2021.
While that data may make it seem that individuals don’t suffer from RSIs with much frequency, that couldn’t be further from the case. Below, we discuss how common workplace repetitive stress injuries are.
Understanding Which Aged Individuals’ RSIs Affect the Most
While you’d potentially think the older someone is, the more likely their chances of developing an RSI, that’s not the case. Per the National Health Statistics Reports discussed above, there appears to be little difference between age groups affected by this type of injury in the past three months. For example:
- Age 35-49: 10.3% of individuals belonging to this age group reported having an RSI
- Age 50-64: 11.6% of people from this age range developed an RSI within the past three months
Certain Populations’ Repetitive Strain Injury Risks Are Higher Than Others
The research shared by the CDC, as outlined above, suggests that some populations receive RSI diagnoses more often than others. For example, non-Hispanic Whites have a 9.5% incidence rate and individuals with family incomes of 400% of the federal poverty level have a 9.8% injury rate. These are apparently some of the highest occurrences of RSIs among all populations.
How Severe Are the RSI Diagnoses Workers’ Receive?
The above-referenced data suggests that at least 44.2% of individuals who suffer repetitive stress injuries are forced to miss work for 24 hours or more after the onset of their condition.
Of those workers forced to take time off from their jobs, it’s most common among:
- White adults: 47%
- Women: 47.1%
- Adults of any gender or racial background with a family income lower than 200% of the federal poverty level: 51%
How Often Do Individuals With This Type of Injury Seek Medical Treatment?
The same statistics cited above detail how at least 51.4% of individuals suffering from RSIs seek medical attention after the onset of their injury. While workers from all backgrounds see a healthcare professional to assess their condition, it’s most common among employees classified as follows:
- Women: 56.3%
- Black (Non-Hispanic) Adults: 66.2%
You May Be Eligible for Workers’ Compensation If You’re Hurting
If you work in certain industries, such as in a coffee shop as a barista, in road construction where you use a jackhammer or some other type where RSIs are commonplace, you likely understand you’re at risk for injury. You don’t have to have to be responsible for covering any medical care you need to treat the harm you suffer, though.
In learning more about how common are workplace repetitive stress injuries, hopefully, you realize that you’re not alone in suffering from this debilitating condition. Nor is the burden to cover the costs your on-the-job injury caused.
