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Carpal Tunnel Can Occur on Construction Sites as Well as in Offices

On Behalf of | Jun 7, 2012 | Firm News

Carpal tunnel injuries do not only affect office workers and grocery store clerks. Construction workers and others who perform heavy labor are also definitely at risk of this type of job-related injury.

This is because carpal tunnel syndrome can be brought on or made worse by many different types of repetitive activity. This includes using power tools that vibrate, such as jackhammers in a construction setting.

Carpal tunnel is often abbreviated CTS and has become a ubiquitous problem in modern society. Yet the definition of the problem is not as well known as it should be.

Maybe that’s because the words “hand” or “wrist” aren’t actually in the name. But CTS involves an irritation of a nerve in the hand and wrist. More specifically, it involves an irritation of the median nerve there.

“Irritation” may not sound all that serious. But if it is not properly addressed, carpal tunnel syndrome can result in permanent nerve damage. It should absolutely not be ignored.

The syndrome takes its name from repetitive motion. But it can also be caused by frequent forceful gripping of tools or other objects.

The resulting symptoms are typically tingling or numbness. The symptoms may also include pain that radiates up the arm, sometimes all the way up into the shoulder.

How is carpal tunnel treated? Wrist splints are of course a common site in many workplaces. But in more serious cases, carpal tunnel surgery may be indicated.

The surgery involves cutting the wrist ligament to relieve pressure on the median nerve.

Source: “Treatment options exist for carpal tunnel,” Chicago Tribune, 6-6-12

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