What type of work is most likely to cause pain and swelling in the hand and wrist?

Repetitive or forceful motions are the primary contributors to pain and swelling in the hand and wrist. This is due to the strain placed on muscles, tendons, and nerves in these areas when the same movements are performed over and over again without sufficient rest. Activities that involve the repetitive application of force, such as typing, assembly line work, or using hand tools, can lead to a range of musculoskeletal disorders, including carpal tunnel syndrome and tendonitis.

In contrast, while heavy lifting can cause strain on the back and other body parts, and agricultural work can involve various physical demands, they are typically less associated with the specific repetitive stress injuries found in the hands and wrists. Office typing, although it involves repetitive motions, is a more specific example of a task that can also contribute to these injuries, but it may not encompass the full spectrum of forceful motions experienced in other scenarios involving manual work. Therefore, evaluating the repetitive nature and the force applied during activities indicates why repetitive or forceful motions significantly heighten the risk of pain and swelling in these areas.