Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) Diagnosis

Medically reviewed by:

Dr Dan Bunstone - Medical Officer

Updated: Aug 18, 2021

Next review: Aug 18, 2022

RSI can cause you to have a variety of possible symptoms and there are many different causes too, so our doctors will need as much information as you can give them to make sure they can provide an accurate diagnosis for you.

By asking the right questions they can rule out other health conditions.

There is no specific test to identify RSI, so the doctor will usually discuss your symptoms with you over a video consultation. They will ask you some questions, which may include whether or not you have had an injury, how long you have had the pain and what activities aggravate your pain. They’ll also want to know whether you play any sports, and what your job entails day to day.

The doctor may also ask you to perform certain movements, so they can see if you have restricted movement in the affected area.

In some cases, the doctor will need to refer you for further tests. This could include a X-ray to look for signs of osteoarthritis, an MRI scan or ultrasound scan. These test can be used to rule out other health conditions that may be causing your pain.

The doctor may also wish to carry out blood tests to rule out inflammatory diseases or you may be referred for a nerve conduction test, if the doctor thinks you have a condition such as carpal tunnel syndrome.

The doctor will explain what tests they are referring you to, if any, and why they are doing it.

Dr Laurence Knott & Dr Adrian Bonsall. Patient Info, Repetitive Strain Injury, 06/07/2017.
patient.info/health/tendinopathy-and-tenosynovitis-tendinosis/repetitive-strain-injury
NHS, Carpal tunnel syndrome, 22/01/2018.
nhs.uk/conditions/carpal-tunnel-syndrome/

RSI Diagnosis

Dr Dan Bunstone - Medical Officer

How our doctors diagnose RSI