Are You at Risk for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Our hands and wrists are some of our body’s most important built-in tools, especially when it comes to working. Whether you're a massage therapist, assembly line worker, or office employee, you may be at risk for developing carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).

You’ve probably heard of carpal tunnel syndrome, a common condition that frustrates workers everywhere across many industries. But what exactly is a carpal tunnel? And how can you prevent it from happening to you?

What is carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)?

The carpal tunnel is a passageway in your wrist that is about an inch wide, surrounded by small bones called carpal bones. This tunnel protects your median nerve and flexor tendons, which are responsible for flexing your fingers and thumb.

CTS happens when the tunnel becomes even narrower, or when the tissues surrounding flexor tendons swell and put pressure on the median nerve. This results in numbness, tingling, pain, and weakness.

How is CTS treated?

CTS is a fairly common condition, and treatment will depend on the severity of the discomfort. Drug and surgery-free treatments may including splinting, taking more breaks from hand usage, chiropractic therapy, and exercises like yoga.

Medications for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Medications to treat pain include over-the-counter drugs like Advil® (ibuprofen). If pain is more severe, you may be prescribed prescription corticosteroids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Corticosteroids can be injected directly into the wrist, and NSAIDs like Naprosyn® (naproxen) can be taken by mouth.

Substantially cheaper medication can be bought online at pharmacy referral sites like RxConnected, which ship drugs from licensed pharmacies in countries with tighter price controls.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Surgery

Carpal tunnel release is one of the most common surgical procedures in the United States. It treats carpal tunnel syndrome by severing the carpal ligament to enlarge the carpal tunnel. It is typically a simple surgery that requires only local anesthetic and no overnight hospital stay.

Who’s at risk for CTS?

CTS is quite common. It affects about 50 people per 1000. However, some people are at higher risk than others.

• Older adults and females are more at risk than younger people and males.
• Genes may determine the size of the carpal tunnel in families.
• Repetitive use of the hands is another risk factor, which may put people like assembly line workers and computer keyboard users at risk.
• Certain illnesses, like diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and thyroid gland imbalance can increase the risk of CTS.

Better Ergonomics to Prevent CTS

CTS can be a reality for you if you belong to one of the above populations. If this is the case, proper ergonomics and working habits can help prevent the onset of CTS.

1. If your job requires repetitive hand use, take frequent breaks and stretch out your hands. If you work in a cold environment, wearing fingerless gloves can keep your hands flexible and warm without sacrificing flexibility.

2. Adjust workstations, tools, and tool handles to suit your natural wrist position. Employers can also rotate workers through different tasks so hand use isn’t repetitive for too long.

3. Make sure keyboards are not be placed too high or too low. Your arms should hang comfortably by your sides, your elbow should be the same height as the keyboard, and your wrists shouldn’t have to bend up or down.

4. Use soft, rounded wrist/palm support when typing. When at rest, your palm or heel of your hand should be in contact with the support pad, not your wrist.

Your hands are a major money-maker, so make sure you take good care of them! Investing in a simple support pad or adjusting the height of your equipment can mean the difference between a productive day at work and a day lost to pain.