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What is carpal tunnel syndrome?

bwagner@anpecindustries.com (Brad Wagner) — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 17:48:47 +0000

Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve, which runs from the forearm into the hand, becomes pressed or squeezed at the wrist. The median nerve controls sensations to the palm side of the thumb and fingers (although not the little finger), as well as impulses to some small muscles in the hand that allow the fingers and thumb to move. The carpal tunnel - a narrow, rigid passageway of ligament and bones at the base of the hand - houses the median nerve and tendons. Sometimes, thickening from irritated tendons or other swelling narrows the tunnel and causes the median nerve to be compressed. The result may be pain, weakness, or numbness in the hand and wrist, radiating up the arm. Although painful sensations may indicate other conditions, carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common and widely known of the entrapment neuropathies in which the body's peripheral nerves are compressed or traumatized.

Test to confirm Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

bilguung@yahoo.com (Administrator) — Tue, 31 May 2011 16:54:33 +0000

Electrodiagnostic tests analyze the electric waves of nerves and muscles. These tests can help detect median nerve compression in the carpal tunnel.

Electrodiagnostic tests are the best methods for confirming a diagnosis of CTS at this time. Doctors who perform these tests should be certified by the American Board of Electrodiagnostic Medicine, which uses rigorous standards in qualifying doctors. Specific electrodiagnostic tests, called nerve conduction studies and electromyography, are the most common ones performed: Nerve conduction tests can also detect causes of symptoms that mimic CTS but are caused by other problems, such as pinched nerves in the neck or elbow, or thoracic outlet syndrome.

Nerve Conduction Studies. To perform nerve conduction studies, surface electrodes are first fastened to the hand and wrist. Small electric shocks are then applied to the nerves in the fingers, wrist, and forearm to measure how fast a signal travels through the nerves that control movement and sensation. Nerve conduction tests are fairly accurate when done on patients with more clear-cut symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. They are less accurate in identifying mild CTS, however. Patients should be sure their practitioners perform tests that compare a number of internal responses, not just routine testing that records only the responses of muscles located in the palm at the base of the thumb. They should also make sure the tests measure responses on the second or third fingers.
Electromyography. To perform electromyography, a fine, sterile, wire electrode is inserted briefly into a muscle, and the electrical activity is displayed on a viewing screen. Electromyography can be painful and is less accurate than nerve conduction. Some experts question, in fact, whether it adds any valuable diagnostic information. They suggest it be limited to unusual cases or when other tests indicate that the condition is aggressive and may increase the risk for rapid, significant injury.

While electrodiagnostic studies are frequently done to confirm the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome in patients with classic symptoms, they are also performed on patients with symptoms that do not point to carpal tunnel syndrome as clearly. Doctors must interpret test results in these patients more carefully.

RSI and CTS FACTS For Employers

bwagner@anpecindustries.com (Brad Wagner) — Tue, 10 May 2011 15:03:28 +0000

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), repetitive strain injuries are the nations most common and costly occupational health problem, affecting hundreds of thousands of American workers, and costing more than $20 billion a year in workers compensation.

Each worker compensation claim for repetitive stress injuries can cost up to $20,000 - $100,000. Consumer Watch Report, PC World.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, nearly two-thirds of all occupational illnesses reported, were caused by exposure to repeated trauma to workers upper body ( the wrist, elbow or shoulder ). One common example of such an injury is carpal tunnel syndrome.

Carpal tunnel syndrome results in the highest number of days lost among all work related injuries. Almost half of the carpal tunnel cases result in 31 days or more of work loss.-National Center for Health Statistics

Median number of days away from work, by event or exposure leading to occupational injury or illness, 2002

Event or exposure Median days

Repetitive motion 23

Fall to lower level 14

Fires and explosions 12

Transportation accidents 12

Fall on same level 9

Overexertion 8

Slip, trip, loss of balance (without fall) 7

Assaults and violent acts by persons 5

Contact with objects and equipment 5

Exposure to harmful substances 3

Presently, the costs to businesses that employ workers at high risk to develop Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and other Repetitive Stress Injuries is staggering. It is estimated that RSI "costs employers over $80 billion yearly." According to the National Council of Compensation Insurance, the average compensation of a CTS victim is $33,000.00.

Musculoskeletal disorders are the country's most costly category of workplace injuries and illnesses. In addition to spending $20 billion annually on workers' compensation costs due to RSIs, the U.S. spends another $100 billion on lost productivity, employee turnover, and other indirect expenses; The Agency for Health Care Policy and Research.

**The following sources are compiled from the Bureau of Labor and Statistics and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health-NIOSH.**

The U.S. Department of Labor has concluded that Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is the "chief occupational hazard of the 90's"-disabling workers in epidemic proportions.

Currently, more than eight million people are affected by carpal tunnel syndrome each year. Surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome is the second most common type of musculoskeletal surgery, (back surgery is #1) with well over 230,000 procedures performed annually.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is the #1 reported medical problem, accounting for about 50% of all work-related injuries

Presently, 25% of all computer operators have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, with estimates that by the year 2000, 50% of the entire workforce may be affected.

Carpal tunnel surgery has about a 57% failure rate following patients from 1-day to 6-years. At least one of the following symptoms re-occurred during this time: Pain, Numbness, Tingling sensations. Source: Nancollas, et al, J. Hand Surgery.

ONLY 23% of all carpal tunnel syndrome patients returned to their previous professions following surgery, according to the Bureau of Labor & Statistics and the National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health.

Many patients are undergoing multiple surgeries, which can cause complications ranging from excessive scar tissue overgrowth (re- compressing the nerve tunnel) to surgical injuries that leave the fingers totally devoid of sensation. United Press.

Up to 36% of all Carpal Tunnel Syndrome patients require unlimited medical treatment.

Women are twice as likely to develop Carpal Tunnel Syndrome as opposed to their male counterparts. While women account for about 45% of all workers, they experience nearly 2/3's of all work-related Repetitive Strain Injuries.

RSI Repetitive strain injury

bwagner@anpecindustries.com (Brad Wagner) — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 01:27:04 +0000

RSI

Repetitive strain injury (RSI) (also known as repetitive stress injury, repetitive motion injuries, repetitive motion disorder (RMD), cumulative trauma disorder (CT), occupational overuse syndrome, overuse syndrome, regional musculoskeletal disorder) is an injury of the musculoskeletal and nervous system that may be caused by repetitive tasks, forceful exertions, vibrations, mechanical compression (pressing against hard surfaces), or sustained or awkward positions

Have you ever noticed the labels manufactures place on products that may cause these injuries? Now that you have read the definition let’s talk about labeling on devices we use daily. It may say on the bottom keyboard or in the owner’s manual that over usage may cause RSI. I am not saying don’t use these products just be sure to take preventive measures to avoid any problems. I also read one of these when I purchased a new smart phone, being a male I never read instructions. But upon arriving home I opened a small manual that, to no surprise, was a paragraph explaining that over use of this product may cause RSI. These devises are here to stay. We all need to recognize the problem before they can occur, especially the younger generation that is exposed to repetitive use at a young age.

How Much Does Carpal Tunnel Treatment Cost?

bwagner@anpecindustries.com (Brad Wagner) — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 00:15:44 +0000

Without health insurance, non-surgical treatment of carpal tunnel typically costs about $300 or less. A doctor visit would cost $200 or less, and a splint or brace costs about $20 to $40. The splint is more to be used for sleep at night. Difficult to wear these during the day for daily activities.
Without health insurance, surgical and rehabilitation of carpal tunnel would cost about $7,000 or more per hand -- or $14,000 or more for both hands. For example, out-of-pocket cost of carpal tunnel release surgery for one hand would cost $6,928, including the hospital facility fees and the doctor fees, with an uninsured discount. Rehabilitation generally range’s from six weeks to three months Scar tissue formation during recovery from surgery is unpredictable and sometimes results in less space in this narrow anatomical passage of the wrist after the carpal tunnel surgical procedure.
Health insurance typically covers carpal tunnel treatment, including surgery for severe cases when conservative treatments have failed. With insurance, typical expenses would include a doctor visit co-pay of $10 to $30 or more and, for surgical treatment, coinsurance of 30 percent or more that could reach $1,000+

Carpal Tunnel at 16 years old?

bwagner@anpecindustries.com (Brad Wagner) — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 14:14:07 +0000

A Chicago-area 16-year-old, has been diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome, ABC News reports the reason? Too much texting.

In the past, carpal tunnel has typically affected adults. There are several causes, but one is related to repetitive hand movements. With the recent phenomenon of excessive texting among teenagers, we may now see an increase in cases of carpal tunnel in this age group. Parents should be sure to talk to their children about setting limits on texting. Without them, many kids will stay up late into the night communicating with their friends. Teens should be frequently reminded of the dangers of texting while driving, as well.

A Success Story with Anpec Industries

bilguung@yahoo.com (Administrator) — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 01:45:34 +0000

In this interview, the CEO of Anpec Industries, Inc., Brad Wagner, says, "When things got so slow, I thought, 'I have a whole manufacturing facility here. Why can't we come up with a product?' And that's what really got my wheels turning is I thought, 'Why not have a product?' and I'm actually working on another product as well for different ailments for people,"

View the original article from WIFR-TV here: http://www.wifr.com/news/headlines/101273729.html

Non-Surgical Ways To Reduce Tennis Elbow Pain

bilguung@yahoo.com (Administrator) — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 01:27:24 +0000

Not many people are aware of a condition called tennis elbow. Tennis Elbow is the common name used for inflammation within the tendons that attach the forearm muscles to your outer elbow. Each time you bend your elbow, those tendons move. When they are inflamed, every movement hurts. People suffering from this condition constantly feels a nagging pain outside their elbow that gets worse when they use their wrists or hands such as grabbing objects and turning their wrists. Lifting objects may cause a pain that races down the forearm of the person affected.

This condition usually happens in the dominant arm. For example, people who are right handed will experience tennis elbow in their right forearm. This is the same for people who are left handed. Usually, the symptoms are slow to manifest. However, there are also other cases where it comes suddenly without preamble. People from ages 35 to 65 are commonly affected.

1. Ice Packs/ Heat Packs

You can try applying ice packs on the affected area for about 15-20 minutes once every 3 hours to reduce the swelling and pain. You can alternate this with heat packs to comfort the elbow joint area.

2. Zostrix

Also known as hot pepper, you can use this to wrap around the area affected to help minimize the pain and inflammation. Hot pepper has natural anti-inflammatory properties.

3. Potato Pack

Try warming up or baking potatoes put it in a bag and apply it on the area affected. The warmth from this can reduce the pain caused by tennis elbow.

4. Celery

Eating celery can reduce the symptoms of rheumatism. This herbal remedy can be as beneficial to your elbow joints as well.

5. The Carpal Roller

The Caral Roller gives a gentle stretch to lateral forearm muscles, decreasing soft tissue tension and pain. The Carpal Roller can provide pain relief, soothe stiff, sore muscles, and reduce inflammation and swelling. This massage it mimics is that of what a therapist would do to treat tennis elbow.

The new Carpal Roller is one of the easiest massage devices to use for treating tennis elbow.

5 Reasons Why People Get Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

bilguung@yahoo.com (Administrator) — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 01:26:10 +0000

The online giant resource tool Wikipedia defines Carpal Tunnel Syndrome as: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is associated by symptoms and signs, which are caused by compression of the median nerve travelling through the carpal tunnel. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome affects the hands since it is an upper limb neuropathy that results in motor and sensory disturbance of the median nerve

CTS is often the result of a combination of factors that increase pressure on the median nerve and tendons in the carpal tunnel. Factors include:

1. Trauma or injury to the wrist that cause swelling, such as sprain or fracture. Avoid injuries whevever possible. Exercise or play with caution and always remember that sprain related accidents can be prevented by wearing protective devices.

2. Over activity of the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland is a tiny organ, the size of a pea, found at the base of the brain. As the master gland of the body, it produces and secretes many hormones that travel throughout the body, directing certain processes stimulating other glands to produce different types of hormones. The pituitary gland controls biochemical processes important to our well-being.

3. Rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disorder that most typically affects the small joints in your hands and feet. Unlike the wear-and-tear damage of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis affects the lining of your joints, causing a painful swelling that can eventually result in bone erosion and joint deformity.

4. Mechanical problems in the wrist joint. Avoid repetetive tasks such as typing on the laptop and constantly workig on machinery that requires a monotonous motion on your hand and elbow. Also remember that ligaments, a soft tisse that connects bones to bones, deteriorate overtime too.

5. Work stress. Work can be stressful, and we all know it. Find your balance by taking vacations frequently and clear your mind. A healthy lifestyle and exercising can prevent Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

It should alos be noted that women are 3 times more likely to develop carpal tunnel syndrome than men. It also tends to be hereditary (which means it runs in families). In some cases no cause can be identified. Keep above mentioned points in mind and exercise your arm frequently and gently.