The RSI syndrome in historical perspective

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Medical History
• Neurology

Background:

• Repetition strain injury (RSI) has been conceptualized as psychogenic, overuse injury, or neural irritability.
• Historical review of work-related upper limb disorders was conducted to determine if RSI is a novel condition.

Observation:

• In the mid-19th century, similar disorders were termed craft palsies or occupational cramps.
• Despite clinical evidence of peripheral neural/muscular dysfunction, influential opinion classified them as central nervous system disorders (occupational neuroses).

Findings:

• During the 20th century, advances in understanding nerve lesions and writer's cramp made a unified etiology for 19th-century occupational neuroses untenable.
• The RSI syndrome of the 1980s shares characteristics with historical descriptions of scrivener's palsy and writer's cramp.
• Contemporary explanations for RSI resemble those proposed for historical occupational neuroses.

Implications:

• RSI may represent an older, recurring pattern of work-related upper limb disorders rather than a new medical entity.
• Understanding historical perspectives on occupational neuroses can inform current research and management of RSI.
• Further investigation into the historical parallels may reveal insights into the underlying mechanisms and effective treatments for RSI.