Is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Fading Away?

Carpal Tunnel was an extremely popular worker’s compensation issue just a decade ago, causing many to worry that their computer jobs were going to cause them much suffering in the future. Funny enough, with more computer jobs than ever, reported cases of the injury are way down.

The number of carpal tunnel injuries went down 66 percent from 1994 to 2006, reported the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. In Texas alone the number of reported injuries from carpal tunnel dropped 50 percent from 2004 to 2006.

Is this drop in reports due to employers providing ergonomic working stations? Could it be a lack of reporting the injury by those suffering from it? Is it simply less prevalent? No one seems to know.

Carpal tunnel syndrome has always been under debate. Many health experts don’t agree that the condition is caused by repetitive hand movements. Some studies have found its cause to be linked to arthritis, thyroid problems, obesity and high blood pressure, while still others believe it is caused by genetics. No one has been able to prove that the injury is more common in workers with computer jobs.

The decline in carpal tunnel cases may be due to workers being educated. There are many ways to avoid risks: using speakerphones and hands-free devices, keeping your feet flat on the floor, supporting your back, keeping the computer at eye level, and keeping your elbows close to the body can all help to reduce strain while working.










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