Handling Your Arthritis at Your Desk Job

We often think of injuries at work from labor-intensive jobs, but dealing with injuries in an office environment is far more common than you think. Arthritis is a frequent office-related issue, and here’s what you can do to keep it under control.

People get hurt at work all the time, and it’s easy to assume that more high-risk labor occupations have the highest numbers.

Research collected from various sources by Work Injury Source shows that health care jobs have the highest incidence of non-fatal injury, with manufacturing, retail, construction, and food service occupations also ranking high on the list. However, these professions often involve hazardous conditions and impact from heavy objects.

Injuries that result from working in an office environment are also common and can lead to lasting problems. Arthritis is a frequent issue that arises with desk jobs. If you’re struggling with the effects of this condition at work, you need to understand how to manage the pain and other symptoms that come with it.

Our medical team at Michigan Avenue Primary Care is here to help office workers dealing with arthritis and other medical problems from our practice in Chicago, Illinois.

Arthritis basics

Arthritis covers several different conditions (over 100 types) resulting from inflammation and damage to joints. A staggering one-third of Americans deal with some form of it, with osteoarthritis being the most common.

In all cases, the musculoskeletal tissue and bones in your joints are inflamed or degenerated, causing cartilage and other joint cushioning to break down. As a result, you may experience swelling, pain, stiffness, tenderness, a feeling of warmth, and reduced mobility.

The damage arthritis can do at work

Think about the parts of your body you use as you’re toiling away at your computer. Your head and neck are often fixed in a specific position that isn’t natural or comfortable, and repetitive keyboard use often impacts your back, shoulders, elbows, and wrists. Your knees and ankles may also suffer when you’re stationary for long periods.

All of these things create a perfect environment for developing osteoarthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome, leading to painful side effects that make performing your desk job even more challenging.

Arthritis management tips

To keep your job from making your life more difficult, try these basic changes in your work routine:

Ergonomic office space: keyboard, chair, and positioning that supports your body
Wrist splints: keep your wrists in a neutral position when you work
Correct wrist alignment: avoid bending your wrists up and down when working
Monitor light settings: keep your monitor well lit and reduce glare
Eye exercises: focus your eyes on various distances to avoid strain
Monitor height: screens should be at a height at or just below eye level
Neck exercises: improve flexibility by doing neck stretches
Foot rest: keep your feet on a level surface to support your feet, legs, and back
Regular breaks: move around throughout the day

Desk jobs don’t have the same severe risk as more physical occupations, but overuse, repetitive stress, and arthritis can all hurt your body in ways that can take years to heal.

To treat arthritis and other work-related problems, make an appointment with our team at Michigan Avenue Primary Care today by calling our office or scheduling online.