ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, January 26, 1997 TAG: 9701240102
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: 3 EDITION: METRO
What is it? Carpal tunnel syndrome is a potentially crippling pain or numbness of the hands, wrists or arm. It's caused by repetitive and forceful motion, often associated with using computer keyboards, as well as job tasks that require wrist bending or other stressful wrist postures. CTS is the most frequently reported of the cumulative trauma disorders, a catch-all phrase that refers to injuries caused by repetitive motion.
Who gets it? Work that involves assembling, cutting, typing, sewing, cleaning or other repetitive operations with small hand tools is most often associated with the syndrome. Barbers, factory workers and keyboard users are among those afflicted. Such repetitive motion injuries have proliferated as the number of people using computers on the job has risen from 25 percent in 1983 to 47 percent in 1993, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Medically, what's going on? The carpal tunnel receives its name from eight bones in the wrist, called carpals, that form a tunnel-like structure. The tunnel is filled with tendons, which control finger movement. It also provides a pathway for the median nerve to reach sensory cells in the hand. Repetitive flexing and extension of the wrist may cause a thickening of the protective sheaths which surround each of the tendons. This swelling applies increased pressure on the median nerve and produces carpal tunnel syndrome.
What are the symptoms? It may appear as a painful tingling in one or both hands during the night, often painful enough to disturb sleep. Accompanying this is a feeling of uselessness in the fingers, which are sometimes described as feeling swollen, even though little or no swelling is visible. Tingling may develop during the day, commonly in the thumb, index and ring fingers. A decreased ability and power to squeeze things may follow. In advanced cases, the thenar muscle at the base of the thumb wastes away and the thumb loses strength.
How is it treated? Hand-splinting accompanied by rest, anti-inflammatory drugs, surgery.
How can the problem be curbed? Take more breaks, exercise and avoid overuse of the wrist. Experts recommend steps to relieve awkward wrist positions and forceful arm and hand movements and redesigning tools, their handles and methods of working, if needed. The goal is keep the wrist in a natural position.
LENGTH: Medium: 52 lines ILLUSTRATION: GRAPHIC: Illustration by staff. color.by CNB