When you think about a work injury, you probably picture something sudden–a fall or an accident with machinery or a painful pop when lifting a heavy object. But many types of illness and injuries are work-related, and some of them develop over time with no clear moment of injury. One of the most common is carpal tunnel syndrome.
About Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a repetitive stress injury that affects the wrist and hand. The most common cause of carpal tunnel is repetitive movement. So, the condition affects a great many workers who might not seem like they are at risk for an on-the-job injury. Some common examples of activities that can trigger carpal tunnel syndrome when repeated over time include:
- Typing
- Data entry
- Assembling small parts
- Cutting and styling hair
- Running a cash register (including a scanner-equipped register)
- Operating a sewing machine
- Hand stitching
- Knitting
- Cleaning
- Hammering
- Certain types of cooking
- Playing certain musical instruments
Carpal tunnel can also develop in workers who:
- Regularly hold their hand or hands in an awkward position that puts pressure on the nerve
- Sustained use of tools that vibrate
- Gloves and other gear that put pressure on the nerve
Given the wide range of activities that can cause carpal tunnel, it’s no surprise that the condition is very common. It’s estimated that about one in every 250 people in the United States gets carpal tunnel syndrome.
Why is it Called Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Carpal tunnel syndrome gets its name from the passageway in the wrist that the median nerve runs through. The condition occurs when that nerve is compressed by inflammation. Signs of carpal tunnel syndrome include:
- Numbness or tingling in the hand, especially in the thumb and the fingers closest to it
- Pain in the wrist or hand
- Weakness in the hand
- Loss of dexterity
In some cases, the tingling and numbness may spread upward into the arm.
Often, it takes a while for someone suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome to realize that there is a serious problem. However, the condition can make it painful to perform the types of work described and similar jobs, and can create difficulty in performing fine motor tasks.
How to Treat Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
In some cases, carpal tunnel syndrome can be mitigated by making adjustments. For example, some people who work at a keyboard finding that ergonomic keyboards or changing the position they work in can take some of the pressure off the nerve. Similarly, sleeping in a wrist brace can help reduce pressure on the nerve during sleep. Anti-inflammatory drugs may also help.
Often, though, more intervention is required. And that frequently starts with time away from the activity that is putting pressure on the nerve. It’s estimated that between 400,000 and 600,000 people in the United States undergo surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome each year. Workers’ compensation can be a lifeline during treatment and recovery. But, securing benefits can be a challenge.
Workers’ Compensation and Carpal Tunnel
South Carolina workers’ compensation covers repetitive stress injuries like carpal tunnel, but getting benefits approved can be more difficult. Because there’s no clear event to tie to the condition as there would be if you fell at work and broke your arm or were involved in a motor vehicle accident on the job. Proving your claim can be especially tough if you haven’t been in the job long or you regularly engage in other activities like gardening or tennis that could be the source of the inflammation. It’s also important to note that certain medical conditions, such as arthritis, can also cause carpal tunnel syndrome.
Even once you have established that the condition is work-related, employers may not cooperate in offering alternative work that complies with medical restrictions. Depending on your profession, the severity of your carpal tunnel syndrome, and how successful treatment is, the condition may result in long-term loss of earning capacity.
An experienced Charleston workers’ compensation attorney can be your best resource as you pursue benefits like replacement income and medical coverage for carpal tunnel. To learn more, call us today at 843-300-7600 or fill out our contact form.