| The carpal tunnel is a very
crowded, narrow passageway on the inside of the wrist, filled with
nerves, tendons, and blood vessels. When someone engages in quick,
repetitive actions with the hands and wrists hour after hour, day
after day, the narrow area can be irritated and traumatized. Inflammation
and swelling might result, producing tingling, numbness, and pain
in the hand. When that happens, an employee may have carpal tunnel
syndrome (CTS).
Imagine a water hose with a kink in it. Even when you turn the
water on full force, the flow coming out of the nozzle will not
be full strength. This resembles what happens with CTS. When the
median nerve in the carpal tunnel is squeezed, the result can be
pain, numbness, some weakness, and eventually the inability to properly
use the hand. The index finger, the middle finger, and thumb are
most severely affected.
If you've ever fallen asleep on your arm or hand, the sensation
of "pins and needles" that you experience upon waking
is similar to what people with CTS experience. To test for CTS,
doctors tap a patient's wrist area. If the patient feels a tingling
in the fingertips, it could indicate CTS.
Although medical experts have known about this problem for more
than 100 years, recent changes in the workplace have made CTS more
common. People who work as typists, grocery checkers, and postal
workers are among those most at risk.
Prevention is the key. Experts estimate that soon repetitive motion
injuries (including CTS) will make up half of all occupational-related
illnesses. Some people are studying work environments and trying
to make them more comfortable and physically less stressful. They
might suggest wrist rests for people who type a lot, anti-glare
filters on computer terminals, and chairs with firm back support.
This new area of study is called ergonomics, and it is a growing
field. Health First's occupational therapists suggest workers keep
their wrists in a neutral position, cut down on repetitive wrist
motions or take frequent breaks from them, and practice various
exercises.
For people who already have CTS, medical treatment includes splinting
the wrist, medication, and sometimes surgery.
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