TEACHER - PINS AND NEEDLES IN HAND

A 38 year old female teacher complained of a gradual onset of numbness and pain in her right hand over a six month period. She noticed the pain was getting gradually worse at night and often woke her up 2 or 3 times from sleep. She would have to spend 10 minutes shaking her hand during the night to relieve the symptoms and by the morning her hand was often completely numb.

PLUMBER - ELBOW PAIN

A 42 year old self-employed plumber had a 3 year history of recurring Tennis elbow. His GP had injected the muscles attachments at his elbow with a cortico-steroid on three separate occasions. Each time the pain went away but within 6 months the same symptoms would return.

FOOTBALLER - FINGER INJURY

A 16 year old boy was an active member of his local GAA football team. During the semi-final he jumped to catch the ball but it bounced off the tip of his right index finger causing the end joint to bend down forcibly. When he took off his gloves he was unable to straighten the tip of his index finger which was very painful and swollen. He was unable to play the remainder of the match and watched and supported from the side lines as his team won.

CHILDMINDER - PAINFUL BASE OF THUMB

A 55 year old female childminder struggled to do simple everyday things such as opening jars and turning her front door key due to pain at the base of her thumb. She was very worried about her ability to continue caring for an active 3 year old boy and his baby sister as tasks such as changing the little girls nappy would cause severe pain. She dreaded having to pick up the boy if he fell over or holding his hand when out and about.

OFFICE WORKER - RSI (REPETITIVE STRAIN INJURY)

A 29 year old IT developer worked in a busy office with several colleagues. His job required him to work from the same corner desk which had two screens and one keyboard. He complained to his manager for several months of pain in his right thumb radiating up his forearm which was worse when he used the mouse or texted on his mobile phone.