Overuse Injuries in Wheelchair Users

Overuse injuries are one of the most common issues wheelchair users face — because wheelchair life involves repetitive upper body movement every day.

The challenge is that overuse injuries often start quietly:

If ignored, these can become pain that limits independence.

This guide explains what causes overuse injuries in wheelchair users, common warning signs, and the best prevention strategies.

Internal link: See the full guide: Shoulder Health for Wheelchair Users.

What is an overuse injury?

An overuse injury is caused by repeated stress over time.

It’s not usually one incident — it’s gradual wear from:

For wheelchair users, shoulders take the biggest hit.

Wheelchair users use shoulders for:

That’s a constant workload.

Without proper strength balance, the shoulder joint becomes overloaded.

Examples include:

These are often linked to posture and imbalance.

Key signs:

If pain persists, clinical guidance is recommended.

Overuse prevention is about building stronger support muscles:

It’s not about doing less — it’s about doing the right training.

Internal link: Full shoulder programme guide: Shoulder Health for Wheelchair Users.

Overuse injuries can creep up slowly, but the right training approach can drastically reduce risk.

If you want stronger shoulders long-term: