Carpal tunnel syndrome and its relation to occupation: a systematic literature review

Abstract

Altogether, we summarized 38 primary reports, with analyses based either on a comparison of job titles (22) or of physical activities in the job (13) or both (3). We found reasonable evidence that regular and prolonged use of hand-held vibratory tools increases the risk of CTS >2-fold and found substantial evidence for similar or even higher risks from prolonged and highly repetitious flexion and extension of the wrist, especially when allied with a forceful grip. The balance of evidence on keyboard and computer work did not indicate an important association with CTS. Discussion Although the papers that we considered had limitations, a substantial and coherent body of evidence supports preventive policies aimed at avoiding highly repetitive wrist-hand work. There is a case for extending social security compensation for CTS in the United Kingdom to cover work of this kind.

Prevalence and work‐relatedness of carpal tunnel syndrome in the working population, United States, 2010 national health interview survey

“…The compression may be related to a specific traumatic injury or systemic condition (e.g., diabetes, pregnancy), or may be caused by thickening of the protective sheaths that surround the flexor tendons that run through the carpal tunnel. Established occupational risk factors for CTS include repetitive flexing and extension of the wrist, forceful grip, and use of handheld vibratory tools [Palmer et al, 2007;Barcenilla et al, 2011;Burt et al, 2011]. Although CTS is relatively uncommon among the general population, it is one of the most common work-related conditions.…”

Validation of the ACGIH TLV for hand activity level in the OCTOPUS cohort: a two-year longitudinal study of carpal tunnel syndrome

“…There are a number of epidemiological studies that show a relationship between manual work (especially repetitive and forceful exertions) and CTS (9)(10)(11); however, many of these studies are cross-sectional and a causal relationship cannot therefore be concluded (9). Longitudinal studies are needed to investigate to what extent work is a primary cause of CTS.…”

Demographic and electrophysiological characteristics of patients with prediagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome admitted to electromyography laboratory

“…Karpal tünel sendromlu hastaların çoğunda bilateral tutulum ile dominant elde daha sık olduğu bildirilmiştir (1,15,18). Bizim çalışmamızda da literatür ile uyumlu olarak hastaların 844 (%57,1)'ü bilateral; 416 (%28,2)'sı sağ, 216 (%14,7)'sı sol taraflı olmak üzere 632 (%42,9)'sinde unilateral KTS bulundu.…”

“…Ağırlık kaldırma ve ekstremitelerin zorlayıcı hareketleri gibi mesleki travmalara bağlı gelişen, sık rastlanan el ve el bileği sakatlanma nedenlerindendir. Ayrıca düzenli, uzun süreli titreşimli aletlerin kullanılması ve zorlu el bileği ekstansiyonu ile fleksiyonu da KTS riskini iki kat arttırmaktadır (18). Karadağ ve arkadaşlarının yapmış olduğu çalışmada diğer meslek grupları gibi tarım işçilerinde de KTS sıklığı toplumdakinden daha yüksek oranda bulunmuştur (19).…”