This ‘office injury’ is actually more common in these industries

Carpal tunnel syndrome, characterized by numbness, weakness, and tingling in one’s hands, is usually associated with office work and endless hours spent typing on a keyboard. However, a new study just released by the non-profit Henry Ford Health System reports workers operating in different industries are more susceptible to CTS.

Researchers say construction and manufacturing employees are more likely to develop carpal tunnel syndrome than anyone working an office job or position that requires tons of typing.

To be clear, there is indeed a connection between CTS and office life/typing. But, there is a greater association between CTS and the lifting, gripping, and “forceful wrist movements” that construction and manufacturing workers perform day in and day out.

“This study is an important reminder that carpal tunnel is a primary contributor to hand and upper extremity pain in both the clerical and manufacturing workplaces, and that ergonomic conditions for workers in both industries should be equally considered,” says senior study investigator Charles Day, M.D., Executive Vice-Chair and Chief of Hand & Upper Extremity Surgery of Henry Ford’s Department of Orthopedic Surgery.

Essentially, anyone who works a job that requires “repetitive finger use” is putting themselves at risk for CTS. Although, to be fair, one would be hard-pressed to find any position that doesn’t require using your fingers. So, in some ways, CTS risk just comes along with being a functional adult. That being said, study authors say if your hands and wrists are exposed to vibrations, high-force hammering, and “extreme wrist motions” over a long period, you have a much higher percentage chance of developing carpal tunnel syndrome.

These findings are based on a comprehensive review of prior research projects focusing on the connection between CTS and various industries, but the research team believes a new, large randomized study focusing on both manual labor and office jobs specifically is necessary to fully understand the dynamics at play. For instance, while CTS is almost always thought of as the result of work-related wear and tear, many other conditions have been linked as a possible cause or contributor to CTS. Examples include diabetes, menopause, thyroid disorders, and rheumatoid arthritis, just to name a few.

Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when too much pressure is placed on the median nerve, an important nerve that runs down the arm to the hand. Along the way, the median nerve passes through the carpal tunnel as it enters the wrist. The median nerve helps control movement and feeling in most fingers (except the pinky), so when too much pressure ends up squeezing or compressing it, CTS can develop.

Dr. Day and his team recommend that regardless of what job you may have, from an administrative assistant to a crane operator, make a concerted effort to give your wrists and hands a break at least a few times per day. The only way to eliminate your risk of CTS is to stop using your hands, but everyone can give themselves a better shot at avoiding the syndrome with a little effort.

The full study can be found here, published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.