Who is affected by carpal tunnel syndrome
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Who is affected by carpal tunnel syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome affects approximately 2% to 3% of the general population. It is more common in women than in men.1
Recently, there has been an increase in work-related cases of carpal tunnel syndrome. This may be because of greater awareness about the condition and because many people at work use forceful or repetitive hand movements (such as performing assembly-type work) or have hand-arm vibration, all of which may be related to carpal tunnel syndrome. Obesity, smoking, and medical conditions such as pregnancy, rheumatoid arthritis, hypothyroidism, and diabetes can also contribute to symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome, especially when combined with forceful or repetitive hand and wrist movement or the use of vibrating equipment.
When compared with other illnesses and injuries, carpal tunnel syndrome is one of the most common causes of absences from work. It is most often found in people whose jobs require repeated motions, especially people who work on assembly lines in industries such as manufacturing.
References
Citations
Atroshi I, et al. (1999). Prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome in a general population. JAMA, 282(2): 153–158.
Credits
| Author | Shannon Erstad, MBA/MPH |
| Editor | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman, MATC |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Patrick J. McMahon, MD - Orthopedics |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | David Pichora, MD, FRCSC - Orthopedic Surgery |
| Last Updated | October 29, 2008 |
| Last updated: | October 29, 2008 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Shannon Erstad, MBA/MPH |
| Reviewed By: | William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine, David Pichora, MD, FRCSC - Orthopedic Surgery |
| Editors: | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Pat Truman, MATC |
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