What Is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

January 19, 2013 (Press-News.org) What is carpal tunnel syndrome?

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a kind of repetitive stress injury that occurs when the median nerve in the hand, which runs from the palm of a hand through the carpal tunnel in the wrist and connects the forearm to the palm, is compressed by any of the nine long flexor tendons that also pass through the carpel tunnel either swell or start to degenerate.

This can be extremely painful, with patients who suffer from this condition experiencing tingling, burning and itching in the hand and fingers for extended periods of time.

Workers who use their hands on a regular basis in order to do their jobs are at risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome. Those who work in assembly lines, or use a computer frequently during the workday are particularly at risk.

How to prevent carpal tunnel syndrome

Medical professionals say that it is difficult to pinpoint any one single preventative measure that can save someone from developing carpal tunnel syndrome, but there are a number of things that workers can do to make it less likely that they will.
-Use voice recognition software. Dictating text into a voice recognition software program instead of keying it in manually can help reduce the amount of time you spend using your hands.

-Check your posture. Are you sitting properly at your desk? If not, you may be vulnerable to developing carpal tunnel syndrome. When you are sitting at your desk and using your computer, you should keep your feet flat on the floor, your back up against the back of your chair, and your wrists straight. In addition, be sure to rest your elbows on the side of your body and keep your shoulders relaxed while you work.

-Take frequent breaks. To ensure that you do not put a lot of pressure on your hands, take several breaks throughout the day. During this time, try taking deep breaths, leaning back in your chair and stretching your hands in order to reduce stress in your body.

Getting disability when you have carpal tunnel syndrome

If you have developed carpal tunnel syndrome because of the work you do on the job, you may be able to receive worker's compensation to help pay for your medical bills. To qualify, though, you must be able to prove that the injuries you suffered were caused because of your job duties. This requires that you provide documentation from your medical provider that says you actually have the injury and that the injury is work related.

If you have been injured on the job

Navigating the complicated legal system on your own -- especially when your health is an issue -- can be difficult. If you need help collecting on a worker's compensation claim, contact a qualified attorney for assistance.

Article provided by Jeffrey S. Gross
Visit us at http://www.philaworkerscomp.com/