Cumulative trauma disorders

Cumulative trauma disorders, in an industrialized society, are a major source of disability, defined as"Harmful and painful condition caused by overuse or overexertion of some part of the musculoskeletal system, often resulting from work-related physical activities." The key characteristic is that the disorder arises from many incremental movements without adequate recovery, as opposed to a single injurious event.

As a group, they are also known as repetitive motion injuries, overuse syndromes, and repetitive stress disorders. Those reading this article are at risk for a number of hand and arm disorders from repeated keyboard, mouse, and other computer-related activities.