Information Technology - Coursework Example

LATERAL EPICONDYLITIS Lateral Epicondylitis Nowadays, cases of muscoskeletal disorders are on the rise due to the various activities that people pursue especially those associated with working long hours at their workstation using the PC. Muscoskeletal disorders (MSD) are conditions that affect bones, ligaments, tendons, joints or muscles (merckmanuals.com).Usually, symptoms manifest in the form of pain and inflammation that cause so much discomfort at the beginning and can lead to full debilitation.

There are many types of MSD ranging from different types of arthritis, back pain, gout, fibromyalgia among many others. However, another set of MSD known as work-related MSD is prevalent since almost all people use computers for either work or play. The article that was discussed comes from conquest chronicles website that discuss Lateral Epicondylitis, which is commonly known as tennis elbow. This type of repetitive stress injury happens when people use their arms and wrist during some motions such as hammering or holding a screwdriver.

Nevertheless, people who often use the computer are also susceptible to this RSI because their wrists are constantly resting on the computer table for long hours when typing or playing games in some cases. Hence, tennis elbow is not common only to tennis players but people who constantly use their forearms. A closer look at the anatomy of tennis elbow shows that chronic rotation of the two major muscles (Anconeus and Supinator) which supports the forearms movement results to strain on the tendons in these muscles (orthoinfo. aoos.org).

Over time, the tendons suffer from repetitive movements leading to lateral epicondylitis. The result of the Computer Workstations ETool( osha.gov) showed I had twenty-five yes answers, which show that there are some things that must be adjusted to make my workstation more ergonomic. The first solution was to get the right kind of chair that can provide adequate lumbar support. The second solution was to adjust the monitor to eye level since it was mounted quite high, making me raise my neck upward to read.

Lastly, the cord of my mouse should be loose enough to pull so I can easily use the mouse. Indeed, the checklist showed to me that some of the causes of injury come from the user himself, especially when they are not aware of the right equipment to use. Furthermore, some stretching after working on a desk station for an hour could ease the tension on muscles. Lateral epicondylitis can be prevented as long as people are informed about the importance of ergonomics. References Jacewicz, M. (2006, September 1).

Introduction: Symptoms and Diagnosis of Musculoskeletal Disorders: Merck Manual Home Edition .Merck & Co., Inc. is a global research-driven pharmaceutical products company.. Retrieved March 26, 2011, from http:// www. merckmanuals.com/home/sec05/ch059/ch059a.html. OSHA Ergonomic Solutions: Computer Workstations eTool - Checklists. (n.d.). Occupational Safety and Health Administration - Home. Retrieved March 25, 2011, from http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/ computerworkstations/checklist.html. so.cal.native1952.

(2010, February 6). Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow) - Conquest Chronicles. Conquest Chronicles - For USC Trojans Fans. Retrieved March 25, 2011, from http://www.conquestchronicles.com/pages/lateral-epicondylitis-tennis-elbow-2.  Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis) - Your Orthopaedic Connection - AAOS. (2009, September 1).AAOS - Your Orthopaedic Connection. Retrieved March 25, 2011, from http://orthoinfo. aaos.org/topic. cfm?topic=A00068.