Repetitive motion disorders (such as carpal tunnel syndrome, tennis elbow, thoracic outlet syndrome, etc.) result from a repeated motion of a specific body part. Often, a repeated movement results in friction, causing swelling or inflammation. An inflamed tissue puts pressure on surrounding nerves, resulting in a kink (impingement), distorting nerve signals below the inflamed area. At that point, sensory, motor, and reflex nerve responses may decrease in that area.

Regular x-rays are frequently used for diagnoses, as well as EMG (electromyelograms, for complex impingement syndromes) - an invasive procedure performed by a neurologist.

Treatment for repetitive motion disorders begins with the reduction of swelling (which may be achieved by stopping the repeated movement and application of a splint). Anti-inflammatory medications (such as Ibuprofen, Naproxen, Vioxx, and Celebrex) may also be helpful. Some require prescriptions, but many are over-the-counter medications. In severe cases, cortisone injections may be administered, however, permanent complete relief is not guaranteed, and level of relief varies from patient to patient. After exhaustion of all other treatments without success, surgery may relieve the pressure on the nerve.

A case manager may be assigned to a patient who has been out of work for more than 4 weeks, a presence of multiple impingement syndromes, a patient with a recommendation for surgery, or if the patient is without an appropriate provider.