Work-Related Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is the most common work-related hand condition and it accounts for 15% of hand injury claims. Approximately, 1 in 70 workers will require time away from work during their lifetime due to severity of carpal tunnel syndrome. The overall incidence of carpal tunnel syndrome in the adult population is between 1.8% and 3.8% with a slightly higher incidence in females. The average age at presentation is 41 years with an average duration at the same job of 7 to 8 years. Approximately, 75% of cases affect both hands, but in unilateral cases, it is usually the dominant hand that is affected.
The most common presenting complaints of carpal tunnel syndrome are:
☛ hand and wrist numbness, reported by 97.5% of patients
☛ hand and wrist pain, reported by 97% of patients
Workers with carpal tunnel syndrome are frequently diagnosed with coexisting tendonitis or epicondylitis. It is not understood if they are predisposed to these conditions or if the conditions are the result of the nature of their work.
Jobs involving repeated or sustained flexion, extension, or ulnar or radial deviation more than double the risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome. Professions most commonly affected by carpal tunnel syndrome include:
☛ meat dealers
☛ supermarket employees
☛ hair stylists/barbers
☛ wood product manufacturing workers
☛ sawmill workers
The presence of carpal tunnel syndrome has been linked to obesity, hormonal changes, renal insufficiency, hypothyroidism, and congestive heart failure. This can make the determination of work-related carpal tunnel syndrome difficult to assess. For more information on carpal tunnel syndrome, please visit Omaha Carpal Tunnel.
The most common presenting complaints of carpal tunnel syndrome are:
☛ hand and wrist numbness, reported by 97.5% of patients
☛ hand and wrist pain, reported by 97% of patients
Workers with carpal tunnel syndrome are frequently diagnosed with coexisting tendonitis or epicondylitis. It is not understood if they are predisposed to these conditions or if the conditions are the result of the nature of their work.
Jobs involving repeated or sustained flexion, extension, or ulnar or radial deviation more than double the risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome. Professions most commonly affected by carpal tunnel syndrome include:
☛ meat dealers
☛ supermarket employees
☛ hair stylists/barbers
☛ wood product manufacturing workers
☛ sawmill workers
The presence of carpal tunnel syndrome has been linked to obesity, hormonal changes, renal insufficiency, hypothyroidism, and congestive heart failure. This can make the determination of work-related carpal tunnel syndrome difficult to assess. For more information on carpal tunnel syndrome, please visit Omaha Carpal Tunnel.
