Workers Compensation for a Wrist Injury From Typing

Work-related wrist injuries are often the result of repetitive motion, such as typing.

At some point in your career, you’ve probably had to do some typing as part of your job. And while typing itself is not necessarily a hazardous activity, repetitive motions, sitting in the same position for too long, or using a laptop on your lap as it often happens in a typing job can be extremely painful and debilitating. It can often lead to wrist injuries.

If you type regularly at work, here are six signs to look out for:

You Experience Pain or Discomfort in Your Wrists, Hands, Fingers, or Arms

Since typing involves a lot of repetitive motion, it’s not surprising that one of the first places you might feel pain is in your wrists, hands, fingers, or arms. If you start to experience discomfort in these areas, say you find yourself constantly rubbing or stretching your wrists, it could be a sign that you’re typing too much.

You Have Tingling or Numbness in Your Wrists, Hands, Fingers, or Arms 

Have you ever experienced a “pins and needles” feeling in your fingers? This is called paresthesia. These weird sensations are often caused by compressed nerves, and they’re usually a sign that something is wrong. So, if you start to feel tingling or numbness in your wrists, hands, fingers, or arms while you’re typing away, it could be an early warning sign of a repetitive stress injury.

You Have Difficulty Making a Fist or Grasping Objects

Maybe you want to give someone a high-five, but you can’t quite make a fist. Or maybe you’re trying to open a jar and can’t seem to get a good grip. If you have difficulty making a fist or grasping objects, it could be because the muscles and tendons in your hands are inflamed from all the typing.

You Notice Swelling in Your Hands or Fingers

If you can’t quite fit your wedding ring on anymore, or you notice that your fingers are looking a little bit puffy, it could be another sign of inflammation. This one is usually more noticeable in the morning after you’ve been typing all day.

You Have Changes in Skin Color or Temperature in Your Hands or Fingers

If you start to notice redness or paleness in your hands or fingers, it could be a sign that something is wrong. This is usually accompanied by changes in skin temperature, so if you find that your hands or fingers are either unusually warm or cold to the touch, especially after typing, it’s worth getting checked out.

You Have Weakness in Your Hands or Arms 

Like any other muscles in your body, the muscles in your arms can get tired from too much typing. So, if you find that you’re having difficulty holding up your arms or you feel weak when trying to do simple tasks like opening a door, it could be a sign that your job is taking a toll on your body.

These are just some signs that you may be suffering from a typing job. If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s important to see a doctor so they can diagnose and treat the problem before it gets worse.

Workers Compensation Lawyer

If a wrist injury from typing affects your ability to do your job, you may also want to speak with an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer to see if you’re eligible for workers comp benefits.

At the Law Office of James. M. Hoffman we have been helping injured Missouri workers get the compensation they deserve for over 30 years, and we can help you too. Call us today for a free consultation.