carpal tunnel syndrome
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repetitive stress injury
repetitive stress injury or repetitive strain injury (RSI), injury caused by repeated movement of a particular part of the body. Often seen in workers whose physical routine is unvaried, RSI has become epidemic since computers have entered the workplace in large numbers. Many RSIs develop when the sheaths that cover muscle tendons swell and press on nerves. Constant typing can cause one form of RSI, carpal tunnel syndrome, a sometimes disabling pain and tingling in the thumb and first two fingers. It is caused by swelling and pressure on the median nerve passing through the wrist. Other common problems are rotator cuff injury, from overuse of the shoulder; tennis elbow, inflammation of a tendon in the elbow from overuse of the forearm; and back injuries from repeated heavy lifting. A 1998 report by the National Academy of Sciences in the United States called RSI a serious national problem, with financial costs ranging up to $20 billion annually.
Treatment of RSI usually begins with attempts to change the conditions that caused the injury. Often, exercises and anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed; in some cases surgery is necessary. Many workers' compensation cases and lawsuits relating to RSI have been brought against employers and product manufacturers. To avoid the high costs of RSI, some businesses have introduced ergonomic workstations and enforced rest periods.
carpal tunnel syndrome
[¦kär·pəl ¦tən·əl ′sin‚drōm]carpal tunnel syndrome
carpal tunnel syndrome
A disorder that causes numbness in the hand and pain in the wrist due to the compression of the median nerve, which runs down the arm to the fingers. The pain can extend all the way to the neck and be extremely severe. People may have a genetic predisposition to this malady and those who suffer with thyroid problems, diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis are believed to be more susceptible.Short, Repetitive Movement
Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by short, repetitive movement, such as typing, knitting, and using vibrating tools for hours on end. Constant mouse movement is also a factor. The lack of rest in between these motions irritates and inflames the flexor tendons that travel with the median nerve to the hand through an area in the wrist called the "carpal tunnel," which is surrounded by bones and a transverse ligament. The inflamed tendons squeeze the nerve against the ligament.
The Treatments
The prescription for typists may be as simple as wrist exercises and the use of a wrist rest or ergonomic glove. The more severe remedy is surgery, in which the transverse ligament is cut to relieve pressure. See RSI and medical conditions.
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| The Median Nerve |
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| There is so little space in the carpal tunnel that when the tendons get inflamed, the median nerve is pressed against the transverse ligament. (Image courtesy of www.carpal-tunnel.com.) |
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| Rest the Wrist |
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| High wrist rests help to avoid carpal tunnel syndrome by keeping the wrists elevated above the keyboard. Unfortunately, they are not widely found in retail stores. |
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| Mousing Twists the Bones |
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| The healthier way to grab a mouse is in the "handshake" position, whereby the forearm bones are not twisted. Evoluent's vertical mice keep the arm in this proper orientation. (Images courtesy of Evoluent, www.evoluent.com) |
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| Mousing Twists the Bones |
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| The healthier way to grab a mouse is in the "handshake" position, whereby the forearm bones are not twisted. Evoluent's vertical mice keep the arm in this proper orientation. (Images courtesy of Evoluent, www.evoluent.com) |
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| An Ergonomic Glove |
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| IMAK Products' Smart Glove uses a removable splint (upper cutout) to keep the wrist in the proper position. The ergoBeads (bottom cutout) massage the area to increase blood circulation and promote healthy muscle tissue. (Image courtesy of IMAK Products Corporation, www.imakproducts.com) |