Carpal tunnel syndrome is a serious medical health issue that plagues employees of numerous professions. The best way for workers and employers to prevent this condition is to use the right equipment, such as an ergonomic mouse pad if the worker is behind a computer most of the day.
Employees can absolutely file a workers’ compensation claim if they believe they have developed carpal tunnel as a result of work-related activities. Many people tend to ignore the symptoms of carpal tunnel, but it is critical to be aware of how severe this condition can get if left unchecked.
Symptoms
The most readily apparent symptom that one suffers from carpal tunnel syndrome is a tingling or burning sensation in the wrist, hand and fingers. People should also be aware if their hands tend to feel numb when they wake up first thing in the morning. In extreme cases, a person will be unable to grip things properly.
Diagnosis
You will need to pay a visit to the doctor to determine definitively if you have carpal tunnel. The doctor can perform a test called EMG-NCV to measure the overall functionality of the nerve that goes through the carpal tunnel.
Treatments
The doctor may recommend that you implement lifestyle changes to feel better. Taking more frequent breaks at work can help. In other cases, the doctor will need to prescribe steroid shots or anti-inflammatory drugs to make the condition better. Finally, in extreme cases, the only solution will be surgery. Before surgery, a doctor will always try every other option.
Professions
Numerous professions are at risk of developing this condition. Office workers typically become associated with the disorder because they type for hours on end, which can result in pain and discomfort in the hands over time. However, this condition has also occurred among musicians, hair stylists, cashiers, bakers, knitters, sewers and assembly line workers.