Work Related Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a painful condition that affects the wrist and hand. It can make everyday tasks difficult and inhibit your ability to work in certain occupations. There are some jobs that put you at a higher risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome. However, understanding how carpal tunnel syndrome develops and by taking certain steps to protect yourself, you can lower your risk for this condition and learn to manage your symptoms if you have it.

Identification

The carpal tunnel is a space that is found in the wrist that is surrounded by bones and a rigid ligament. This space creates a passageway for the tendons and median nerve, which are needed to make the hand move. Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when these tendons become inflamed. As the tendons become enlarged they press on the nerve. This often happens due to overuse of the wrists. With normal activity the outer layer of the tendon releases fluid to help the tendon move smoothly in relation to bending and flexing the wrist and moving the fingers.

Symptoms

If you overuse your wrist there may not be enough fluid available fast enough. This causes friction against the tendon and its outer covering. Over time this friction leads to the inflammation of the tendon and pressure on the nerve. As pressure on the nerve increases, you may begin to develop symptoms such as pain, swelling, numbness, tingling and difficulty moving your hand. You may also experience difficulty telling the difference between hot and cold items you are holding. These symptoms can appear in the hand, fingers and even radiate to the arm and shoulders. They can occur on just one side or on both. Some people naturally have a smaller carpal tunnel, and therefore are more prone to developing this condition.

Occupations at Risk

Having carpal tunnel syndrome can make it difficult to type, open bottles and jars, turn keys, grasp objects and other common tasks. If you have a job where you use a keyboard, mouse or cash register for most of your day, you are at higher risk. You need to take care if you are in any occupation that requires you to use repetitive motions of the wrist, hand or fingers. This includes knitters and sewers, massage therapists, hairdressers, gardeners, cleaners, surgeons, bakers and those that use hand tools.

Treatment

The first step in treating your work related carpal tunnel syndrome is to identify the repetitive movements that are exacerbating your condition. Initially a period of rest, ice, anti-inflammatory medication and splinting may be necessary. If your condition is severe enough you may need surgery. You will also need to avoid the movements that created your condition until the inflammation goes down. Gentle stretching, strength-training exercises and physical therapy will help you to regain range of motion and strength in the wrists. Once you return to work, learning to protect your wrists is essential.

Prevention/Solution

The best way to prevent or manage carpal tunnel syndrome is to use good working habits. Designing your workspace so that you can better protect your wrists and hands is key. The goal is to eliminate awkward hand and wrist positions as you work and reduce stress on the joint. Redesigning hand tools or adding special grips to tools that you use everyday can help, as well. Since every work situation is different, and since each person has a different physical makeup, it is helpful to meet with an occupational therapist who can help you to best design your workstation to fit your individual needs. Learning to keep your wrists straight as you work is an important step. In addition, you need to reapproach the way you use your hands, by learning to relax your grip and use only the needed amount of force. Taking frequent breaks to stretch your hands and wrists, keeping your hands and wrists warm, and using good posture are other techniques that can help.

Resources

• National Institutes of Health CTS Fact Sheet
• Mayo Clinic Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• CTS Place