repetitive strain injury

:  any of various musculoskeletal disorders (as carpal tunnel syndrome or tendinitis) that are caused by cumulative damage to muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, or joints (as of the hand, wrist, arm, or shoulder) from highly repetitive movements and that are characterized chiefly by pain, weakness, and loss of feeling—called also cumulative trauma disorder, repetitive motion injury, repetitive stress injury, repetitive stress syndrome, RSI