Rsi

RSI

Abbreviation · /ˌɑːresˈaɪ/ · Repetitive Strain Injury — a painful condition caused by repeated movement

Definition

RSI stands for Repetitive Strain Injury — an umbrella term for pain, swelling, and reduced function in muscles, nerves, and tendons caused by repetitive movements, sustained awkward postures, or forceful exertions over time. Common RSI conditions include carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinitis, tennis elbow, and trigger finger. In the modern workplace, RSI is most associated with prolonged keyboard and mouse use, but it affects assembly line workers, musicians, surgeons, and athletes equally.

Origin

The term Repetitive Strain Injury emerged in Australian occupational health literature in the 1980s during a period when keyboard-intensive office work was rapidly expanding and injury rates among clerical workers climbed sharply. The abbreviation RSI became standard medical and legal shorthand in the UK throughout the 1990s. Synonyms in different jurisdictions include Work-Related Upper Limb Disorder (WRULD) in British occupational medicine and Cumulative Trauma Disorder (CTD) in the United States.