Organizations that can help with work related illnesses

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), U.S. Department of Labor
200 Constitution Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20210
Phone:
(202) 693-19991-800-321-OSHA (1-800-321-6742)
TDD:
1-877-889-5627
Web Address:
http://www.osha.gov

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) provides information on hazards at the workplace and worker safety.

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
200 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Suite 715-H
Washington, DC 20201
Phone:
1-800-35-NIOSH (1-800-356-4674)
Fax:
(513) 533-8573
Web Address:
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) conducts research and makes recommendations for the prevention of work-related injuries and illnesses. NIOSH also provides information to the public.

American Physical Therapy Association
1111 North Fairfax Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
Phone:
1-800-999-2782(703) 684-2782
Fax:
(703) 684-7343
Web Address:
http://www.apta.org

The American Physical Therapy Association provides information and education to the public about physical therapy and how it is used to treat certain conditions.

What is carpal tunnel syndrome?

Carpus is a word derived from the Greek word "karpos" which means "wrist." The wrist is surrounded by a band of fibrous tissue which normally functions as a support for the joint. The tight space between this fibrous band and the wrist bone is called the carpal tunnel. The median nerve passes through the carpal tunnel to receive sensations from the thumb, index, and middle fingers of the hand. Any condition that causes swelling or a change in position of the tissue within the carpal tunnel can squeeze and irritate the median nerve. Irritation of the median nerve in this manner causes tingling and numbness of the thumb, index, and the middle fingers, a condition known as "carpal tunnel syndrome."

Key points to preventing CTS

Many health conditions and diseases make you more likely to get carpal tunnel symptoms. But if you exercise, maintain a healthy weight, control other health conditions such as arthritis and diabetes, and avoid smoking, you can help prevent carpal tunnel syndrome.
Arranging your activity and work space using ergonomic guidelines can help prevent carpal tunnel syndrome. Office ergonomics focuses on how a workstation is set up, including the placement of your desk, computer monitor, paperwork, chair, and associated tools, such as a computer keyboard and mouse. The same ideas can help you arrange your position for other daily activities.
Proper body mechanics are key to preventing carpal tunnel syndrome.
Evaluate your daily routine for activities that increase your risk of carpal tunnel syndrome.
Take frequent breaks from activities to rest, stretch, change positions, or alternate with another activity.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Overview

Carpal tunnel is a disease of the hand characterized by numbness, tingling, pain, and weakness. The disease typically affects the thumb, index, and middle fingers and is often particularly troublesome at night. A major nerve, specifically the median nerve, travels down the arm and enters the hand through the carpal tunnel, which is located in the central part of the wrist. In people with carpal tunnel syndrome, pressure in the carpal tunnel is higher than in unaffected people, and median nerve irritation occurs.

Many conditions can cause increased pressure within the carpal tunnel and lead to carpal tunnel syndrome. Carpal tunnel syndrome was first described with broken wrists. A broken wrist can cause bleeding and swelling within the carpal tunnel leading to increased pressure within the carpal tunnel. Most people with carpal tunnel syndrome have no identifiable cause. It affects almost 5% of the population and is most common in middle-aged women. Carpal tunnel syndrome is diagnosed based on the complaints of the individual combined with physical tests and often electrical studies. No single test is definitive for diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome. Instead, the person's complaints and test findings together lead to its diagnosis.

How Is It Diagnosed and Treated?

Did you ever wake up and your hand is still asleep — all numb and giving you pins and needles? That's what it can feel like to have CTS. One way to tell if you have CTS is to check if your pinky is also numb. It won't be in a person with CTS. A doctor who suspects CTS will listen to the person's symptoms and then do a wrist examination. By tapping on the person's wrists, the doctor is often able to tell whether the problem is CTS.

A brace or splint can help mild cases of CTS. It is usually worn at night and keeps a person's wrists from bending. Keeping the wrist straight opens the carpal tunnel so the nerve has as much room as possible. Resting the wrist will allow the swollen tendons to shrink. Medicines like ibuprofen can also help reduce the swelling.

In more severe cases, your doctor may recommend cortisone to reduce inflammation and swelling in the carpal tunnel. This medicine is given by a shot, or injection. When the symptoms of CTS have improved, the doctor may suggest the person do wrist exercises and make changes that can prevent further problems, such as repositioning the computer and keyboard.

If none of these treatments help, the person may need surgery to release the pressure on the median nerve. This surgery takes less than an hour and usually doesn't require a stay overnight in the hospital. Very few people are permanently injured by CTS. Most can get better and take steps to prevent the symptoms from returning.

· Many health conditions and diseases make you more likely to get carpal tunnel symptoms. But if you exercise, maintain a healthy weight, control other health conditions such as arthritis and diabetes, and avoid smoking, you can help prevent carpal tunnel syndrome.
· Arranging your activity and work space using ergonomic guidelines can help prevent carpal tunnel syndrome. Office ergonomics focuses on how a workstation is set up, including the placement of your desk, computer monitor, paperwork, chair, and associated tools, such as a computer keyboard and mouse. The same ideas can help you arrange your position for other daily activities.
· Proper body mechanics are key to preventing carpal tunnel syndrome.
· Evaluate your daily routine for activities that increase your risk of carpal tunnel syndrome.
· Take frequent breaks from activities to rest, stretch, change positions, or alternate with another activity.

Simple steps is all it takes

If you spend a lot of time doing activities that involve forceful or repetitive finger or wrist movement or use of vibrating equipment, you have an increased risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). These activities can include driving, using a keyboard, working with small instruments, knitting, or using a sander. You can reduce your risk, as well as any hand pain or weakness you may already have, by taking a few simple steps. In some of my older posts I mention many exercises that are meant to prevent CTS.