With Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSI) a hot topic on the Mumsnet Talk boards, we've invited Tony Kochhar, consultant orthopaedic surgeon who specialises in treating RSI, to join us this week and answer your questions. Tony trained at The Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital in London and has worked with some of the best surgeons in the world, notably in New York and at the world-renowned Alps Surgery Institute in Annecy, France. He currently practises at London Bridge Hospital and in Kent, and has just set up what is believed to be the country's first clinic dedicated to treating RSIs.
Tony has seen a rise in patients visiting his practice with RSI. This is often caused by extended keyboard usage but there are other causes too: 'Baby Wrist' is associated with the use of breast pumps, bottle feeding and carrying a newborns (and is regularly discussed on the breast/bottle feeding boards on Mumsnet), 'Back to work wrist and upper limb woes'; is associated with mums who have been off on maternity leave and develop acute RSIs very quickly upon their return to work and also 'Hair straightener wrist'; it isn't just split ends you should be worrying about, holding the arm in such an abnormal position for extended periods of time can result in a number of upper limb issues.
If you've been affected by one of these conditions, or have any other questions about RSI, send your questions to Tony before the end of day on Friday 1 April and we'll link through to his answers from this page the following week.