Overuse Syndrome

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Background
Symmetry by design
So what exactly is overuse syndrome?
What kinds of movements cause overuse syndrome?
Things you can do

Background

The human body is capable of unbelievable feats of strength. This absolutely is as true for children and adults with limb differences as for typical people. If you follow social media or the news, you can’t help but be astonished by the athletic feats that children and adults with upper limb differences are accomplishing every day such as bodybuilding, dancing, rock climbing, playing all kinds of sports, weightlifting, repairing sports cars, magician, rocket, actor, the list goes on.

Symmetry by design

But the human body also is designed to be symmetrical: two eyes and ears, two arms and hands, two legs and feet, etc. While human beings naturally develop a dominant side of the body, cumulative strain occurs when the body is used asymmetrically over many years due to missing or non-functional parts. Teaching children from a young age to use their affected side(s) in everyday activities to balance their bodies during functional activity is essential to reducing strain on the “dominant” side and to preserving the strength and endurance of the body parts that are overused. Since this strain is cumulative, activities that were easy in one’s childhood can become straining as one ages. Sometimes strain can turn into a prolonged overuse syndrome that can last for months or even years, which can pose a significant challenge and affect many aspects of life.

So what exactly is overuse syndrome?

Overuse syndrome, also known as Occupational overuse syndrome (OOS) or repetitive strain injury (RSI), is a short or long term condition that can involve pain, strain, and/or decreased function.

“Repeating one movement or motion constantly over a long period of time can lead to overuse syndrome in your hands and arms. Though many are able to recover from this condition, it can be very inconvenient, and can prevent you from completing everyday tasks and activities.” (Definition from the Cleveland Clinic)

Factors that can cause overuse syndrome are: repetition of one movement or motion, frequently, over a span of time, in hands and arms, that can prevent completion of everyday tasks and activities (Adapted from the Cleveland Clinic).

What kinds of movements cause overuse syndrome?

… repetition, high force, awkward joint posture, direct pressure, vibration, and prolonged constrained posture. The unilateral upper limb amputee patient may have a problem avoiding many of these risk factors because of the natural heavy reliance on the sound limb…
Overuse Syndrome and the Unilateral Upper Limb Amputee: Consequences and Prevention; 2008

Things you can do

Here are some things you can do as parents to understand more about overuse and reduce the likelihood that your child will be affected by it:

Learn about/educate yourself about good posture and biomechanics
Encourage symmetry by involving the affected (limb difference) side(s) in activities of daily living
Seek professional help from an OT who works with children with upper limb differences
Always listen/respond if your child complains about pain in either the dominant or affected side(s)
When your child begins to use technology, adapt the technology to your child rather than adapting the child to the technology!

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