 |
 |
|
|
What is carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)?
What are the symptoms of CTS?
What causes CTS?
How is CTS treated?
Is there a cure for CTS?
How can I prevent CTS?
Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when tendons in the wrist become inflamed after being aggravated. Tendons can become aggravated when the carpals (a tunnel of bones) and the ligaments in the wrist narrow, pinching nerves that reach the fingers and the muscle at the base of the thumb. Repetitive flexing and extension of the wrist may cause a thickening of the protective sheaths that surround each of the tendons, which narrows the tunnel. Women are three times more likely to develop CTS than men, and the risk increases with age. People between the ages of 40 and 60 are more commonly affected.
The first symptoms usually appear at night. Symptoms range from a burning, tingling numbness in the fingers (especially the thumb and the index and middle fingers) to difficulty in gripping or making a fist. Many patients with CTS are unable to differentiate hot from cold by touch, and they experience an apparent loss of strength in their fingers. They might appear clumsy because they have trouble performing simple tasks such as tying their shoes or picking up small objects. In advanced cases, the thenar muscle at the base of the thumb atrophies, and strength is lost.
Although there are many reasons for developing this swelling of the tendon, it can result from repetitive and forceful movements of the wrist during work and leisure activities. Research by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) indicates that job tasks involving highly repetitive manual acts, or necessitating wrist bending or other stressful wrist postures, are connected with incidents of CTS or related problems. Moreover, it is apparent that this hazard is not confined to a single industry or job but occurs in many occupations, especially those in the manufacturing sector. Jobs involving cutting, small parts assembly, finishing, sewing, and cleaning seem predominantly associated with the syndrome. The factor common in these jobs is the repetitive use of small hand tools. CTS can also be due to trauma from repetitive work such as that of supermarket checkers, checkers in other types of stores, assembly line workers, meat packers, typists, word-processors, accountants, and writers.
CTS is treated by immobilizing the wrist in a splint. Then, either anti?inflammatory drugs or injections of cortisone are used to reduce swelling in the wrist. There is also a surgical procedure in which doctors can open the wrist and cut the ligament at the bottom of the wrist to relieve the pressure. However, only a small percentage of patients require surgery.
Most people with CTS recover completely and can avoid re-injury by changing the way they do repetitive movements, the frequency with which they do the movements, and the amount of time they rest between periods when they perform the movements. Approximately 1 percent of individuals with CTS develop permanent injury.
You can help prevent CTS by taking the following precautions:
Reduce your force and relax your grip. Studies show that most people use four to five times more force than necessary to perform most tasks involving the hands. If your work involves hitting keys, hit them softly. If you frequently write by hand, use a big pen with an oversized, soft grip adapter and free-flowing ink. This way, you will not have to grip the pen tightly or press hard on the paper.
Take frequent breaks. Every 15 to 20 minutes, give your hands and wrists a break by gently stretching and bending them. Also alternate tasks when possible. For example, type for 15 minutes then do some phone work for 5 minutes. If you use equipment that vibrates or on which you exert a great amount of force, taking breaks is even more important.
Watch your form. Avoid bending your wrist all the way up or down. A relaxed middle position is best. If you use a keyboard, keep it at elbow height or slightly lower.
Improve your posture. The tendency to roll the shoulders forward shortens the neck and shoulder muscles, compressing nerves in the neck. This, in turn, can affect the wrist, fingers and hand.
Keep your hands warm. You're more likely to develop carpal tunnel syndrome if you work in a cold environment. If you can't control the temperature at work, put on fingerless gloves that keep your hands and wrists warm.
Use ergonomically designed equipment. If you use a computer, try using a track ball instead of a mouse if you're on a computer all day, or position your keyboard at elbow height or lower so that it reduces stress and increases efficiency. Also try to use proper seating. The height of your seat and position of your backrest should be adjustable. The chair should be on wheels so you can move easily, and arm rests are also helpful.
On a large scale, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the redesign of tools or tool handles to enable the user's wrist to maintain a more natural position during work. Other recommendations have involved modifying the layouts of workstations. Other approaches include altering the existing method for performing the job task, providing more frequent rest breaks, and rotating workers across jobs.
You can find out more about carpal tunnel syndrome by contacting the National Women's Health Information Center (800-994-9662) or the following organizations:
American Chronic Pain Association
Phone: (916) 632-0922
Internet Address: http://www.theacpa.org
Clearinghouse for Occupational Safety and Health Information, National Institute for
Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
Phone: (800) 35-NIOSH
Internet Address: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/homepage.html
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMSD)
Phone: (301) 496-8190
Internet Address: http://www.niams.nih.gov
This information was abstracted from fact sheets developed by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) and the Centers for Disease Control.
Publication Date: May 2001
All material contained in the FAQs is free of copyright restrictions, and may be copied, reproduced, or duplicated without permission of the Office on Women's Health in the Department of Health and Human Services; citation of the source is appreciated
Publication date: June 2001
Home | About Us | Contact Us | Site Index | Privacy Policy | Disclaimer | FOIA | Accessibility
Contact NWHIC
or call 1-800-994-WOMAN
NWHIC is a service of
the
U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services'
Office
on Women's Health