ad info

CNNin
 MAIN PAGE
 WORLD
 ASIANOW
 U.S.
 LOCAL
 POLITICS
 WEATHER
 BUSINESS
 SPORTS
 TECHNOLOGY
 NATURE
 ENTERTAINMENT
 BOOKS
 TRAVEL
 FOOD
 HEALTH
 AIDS
 Alternative
 Cancer
 Diet & Fitness
 Heart
 Men
 Seniors
 Women
 STYLE
 IN-DEPTH

 Headline News brief
 daily almanac
 CNN networks
 CNN programs
 on-air transcripts
 news quiz

  CNN WEB SITES:
CNN Websites
 TIME INC. SITES:
 MORE SERVICES:
 video on demand
 video archive
 audio on demand
 news email services
 free email accounts
 desktop headlines
 pointcast
 pagenet

 DISCUSSION:
 message boards
 chat
 feedback

 SITE GUIDES:
 help
 contents
 search

 FASTER ACCESS:
 europe
 japan

 WEB SERVICES:
Health

Study: Workplace not always main carpal tunnel culprit

Keyboard Typing
Federal statisticians say repetitive-motion injuries account for more than half of all workplace injuries  
July 28, 1998
Web posted at: 9:47 p.m. EDT (0147 GMT)

From Medical Correspondent Rhonda Rowland

(CNN) -- Repetitive-motion injuries are being reported at an alarming rate in all types of workplaces -- from newsrooms to meat packing plants. However, a new study finds that jobs such as typing on a keyboard are not always the cause of such ailments as carpal tunnel syndrome.

"What we know is any abnormality or any disease that will cause the lining of those tendons to become inflamed can cause carpal tunnel syndrome," hand surgeon Dr. Jim Roderique said.

Ailments such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, thyroid disease and gout often are culprits. Others are pregnancy, birth control pills and sudden weight gain, which causes fluid retention.

Still, findings published in the journal Archives of Internal Medicine show the real cause of hand pain is often misdiagnosed.

In the study, two-thirds of patients diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome actually had underlying medical conditions or were obese.

Then why are workplace activities often blamed?

"If one is sitting on the edge, so-to-speak, strenuous, continuous use of the hand doing particular movements can precipitate carpal tunnel syndrome. I didn't say cause; I said precipitate," Roderique said.

Doctors say in that many states, the laws are not in sync with what is known in medicine, and the workplace is left to foot the medical bills.

Researchers say if an underlying medical condition is diagnosed and treated, carpal tunnel syndrome can get better, and even be cured, without any workplace changes.

Related stories:
Latest Headlines

Today on CNN

SEARCH CNN.com
Enter keyword(s)   go    help

  
 

Back to the top
© 2000 Cable News Network. All Rights Reserved.
Terms under which this service is provided to you.
Read our privacy guidelines.