Dear Left-Right,
"By some estimates, about 27 million people have visited a medical
professional for RSI of the hand and, perhaps, another 40 million have
experienced symptoms but did not seek professional help. According to
the Bureau of Labor Statistics, RSI's of all types account for 60% of
all reported occupational illnesses. The estimated direct cost to
businesses was over $25 billion in 1993 just in the U.S. The National
Center for Health Statistics reported that 849,000 new problem visits
were made to physicians in office-based practices in 1994 due to CTS
and carpal tunnel release operations are the second most common work
related surgical procedure in the U.S. OSHA shows CTS as having the
highest median days away from work, greater than fractures or even
amputations. A CTDNews survey revealed that CTS is the costliest
Cumulative Trauma Disorder, with back injuries second. However, after
factoring in not only lost days and medical expenses (which alone can
reach $29,000) but also temporary help and overall lost productivity,
the overall cost could reach a whopping $60,000+ per incident.
Finally, the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health
(NIOSH) has predicted that 50% of the work force will suffer from RSIs
(of all kinds) by the year 2000.
Although surgery is a common treatment when CTS symptoms become
unbearable, it is often not a cure, especially if the patient returns
to the type of work that brought it on in the first place. One study
showed 57% of patients reported a return of some symptoms. In
addition, it has been estimated that only 23% of CTS patients were
able to return to their previous jobs after surgery and perhaps a
third of CTS patients will require unlimited medical treatment.
Prevention, in this case, is the best medicine. Remember, poor
ergonomics and posture contribute to RSI as well."
(SOURCE: What is Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) of the Hand?,
<http://www.thehelpinghand.com/rsi/rsi.htm>).
Another source mentions that:
"The Occupational Safety and Health Administration estimates that,
every year, between 800,000 and 2.7 million Americans develop some
form of RSI (repetitive stress injury)." (SOURCE: Wristman
<http://www.abstraction.org/wristman/>)
The estimates, according the Flexman <http://www.flextend.net/>, are
that there are over 8 million people who reported the problem. (Many
more details could be found on that site).
In Canada, "RSI is one of today?s major occupational hazards,
affecting approximately 2.3 million Canadians annually" (SOURCE:
Psysiotherapy CA, <http://www.physiotherapy.ca/pdfs/RepetitiveStrain.pdf>).
In both countries, the problem is indeed increasing. In the United
States, "According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, ergonomic
disorders are the most rapidly growing category of work-related
illnesses reported to OSHA (the Occupational Safety and Health
Administration). In 1981 (when the IBM PC was released) only 18% of
all illnesses reported were RSIs. In 1984 that figure grew to 28%, in
1992 to 52%, and by the year 2000 estimates are that 70% of all
occupational illnesses reported will be RSIs. This rapid increase in
RSIs coincides with the increase of personal computer use." (SOURCE:
Webreference, "Repetitive Strain Injuries - The Hidden Cost of
Computing" <http://webreference.com/rsi.html>).
In Canada, there had been "[...] an increase in the prevalence of RSIs
during the late 1990s. In 1996/97, 8% of adults reported the problem,
according to the National Population Health Survey. The proportion hit
10% in 2000/01. Work-related activities were most often the cause."
(SOURCE: "Repetitive strain injury",
<http://www.statcan.ca/Daily/English/030812/d030812b.htm>).
I hope this answers your question. My search strategy was to look for
the term (also with variations, for example ["Repetitive strain
injury"]), using years, terms like "statistics" and possible terms
that would have appeared to specify my search.
Please contact me if you need any further clarification on this answer
before you rate it. |
