OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH
Suite 401
9400 University Pkwy
Pensacola, FL 32514
8 am to 5 pm
Monday - Friday
P. 850.208.6400
F. 850.208.6409
URGENT CARE
Suite 101
9400 University Pkwy
Pensacola, FL 32514
7 am to 7 pm
Open 7 Days A Week
Including after hours Work Comp.
P. 850.208.6130
F. 850.208.6419
VISIT OUR WEBSITE:
https:/www.baptistmedicalgroup.org/
baptist-occupational-health
Baptist Occupational Health & Urgent Care
CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME: More than a ngling vexa on!
What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)?
CTS is a numbness and ngling in the hand caused by a pinched nerve
in the wrist. It affects 3 million people per year in the US – 1% of the
popula on. However, CTS affects 5% of the workforce in the US and
the age distribu on of those affected is 20-60+, ie. Prime workforce
age.
Symptoms:
Common are ngling and numbness in thumb, index and middle finger
and half of the ring finger. There may be clumsiness/weakness in the
hand and difficulty performing fine motor tasks –eg. Playing banjo.
Frequently, there are night me symptoms that may awaken the paent and the pain is usually alleviated by shaking the wrist, hanging the
hand or massaging the wrist and hand.
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR
CORPORATE SERVICES AND
UPCOMING EVENTS CONTACT:
Lee Irving
Program Developer
P. 850.723.8401
E. [email protected]
Savanna Brooks
Practice Manager
P. 850.449.8598
E. [email protected]
Susan Uebelsteadt
Operations Manager
P. 850.208.6413
E. [email protected]
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How Does CTS Develop?
Common causes are repe ve hand mo on, awkward hand posi ons, working while gripping with the wrist bent,
repe ve mechanical stress on the palm and the use of vibra ng tools. Although a popular belief, there is NO consistent evidence to support a link between computer use/keyboarding and CTS. Imagine how many teenagers would
claim compensa on benefits if that were true!
Diagnosis of CTS:
Clinical Exam by a physician or other healthcare provider is essen al. Nerve Conduc on Studies can help confirm the
diagnosis. Tests can be done to look for other underlying causes of CTS.
There are OCCUPATIONAL and NON OCCUPATIONAL causes of CTS.
Non occupa onal causes: Diabetes, thyroid disease, wrist arthri s, gout, etc. Basically, anything in the carpal tunnel
that can put pressure on the nerve can lead to CTS. This of course raises the ques on: Did work cause the CTS,
contribute to it or have nothing at all to do with it?
Preven on of CTS:
It is important to iden fy & address ergonomic problems early. Look at job design – a good job design will have at least
the following elements:
1. Minimize repe ve mo on par cularly in awkward hand/wrist posi ons
3. Incorporate a work/rest schedule or work breaks to avoid monotony and repe ve paAerns of work, relieving stress
on muscles.
4. Include rota on of tasks to move workers between different jobs (job rota on)
5. Matching of employees to job assignments – lessens muscle fa gue, increases produc vity and decreases severity
and frequency of work related injuries including CTS.
6. Redesigning tools to beAer fit the hands and gripping paAerns
7. Redesigning work sta ons – ideally work sta ons should be adjustable to accommodate different individuals who
work in the par cular area.
8. Educa on of workers on risks of CTS. The aim is to reduce number/types of awkward wrist postures and number of
repe ve mo ons (grasping tools, etc).
Treatment of CTS:
Early treatment is advised once symptoms develop. Treatment may be non-surgical or surgical.
1. Non- surgical: splin ng, NSAIDs (Motrin/Aleve), steroids, Physical Therapy, ice, local steroid injec on. Duty modificaon.
2. Surgical treatment: usually off work extended periods of me for recupera on. Symptoms may persist even aHer
surgery
The average me off work for CTS and other musculoskeletal injuries is 23 days in US. This may be longer with surgery.
Frank Francone, MD
Bap st Occupa onal Health and Urgent Care Medical Director
Remember— Occupa onal Health has moved as of October 3rd!
We are in Suite 401 on the 4th floor of Bap st Medical Park 9 Mile
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