carpal tunnel and computer workers

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From Kaohsiung J Med Sci. 2003 Dec; 19(12): 617-23.

Relationship between carpal tunnel syndrome and wrist angle in computer

workers.

Liu CW, Chen TW, Wang MC, Chen CH, Lee CL, Huang MH.

Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Kaohsiung Medical

University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most widely known entrapment

neuropathy. The aim of this study was to assess the incidence of CTS in

a group of computer workers by typical symptoms, median nerve conduction

studies, and their combinations. The posture of extended wrists while

typing on a computer keyboard seems to be a predisposing factor for CTS.

However, the correlation between wrist extension angle and the incidence

of CTS is not well known. Forty-five subjects (mean age, 38.8 +/- 7.8

years) who used a computer for more than 6 hours daily in a medical

center in southern Taiwan were

studied. All completed questionnaires to ascertain their age, employment

duration, dominant hand, and the severity of symptoms.

Physical examinations (Tinel's sign and Phalen's test) were performed by

a physician. The maximal wrist extension angle when typing on a computer

keyboard was also measured by the same physician. Nerve conduction

studies were performed on each subject to determine the severity of CTS.

Results showed that the incidence of CTS in the

computer workers was 16.7% (15 of 90 hands). Twelve subjects showed

electrodiagnostic evidence of CTS: it involved the dominant hand in

seven, the non-dominant hand in two, and bilateral hands in three. The

severity of clinical symptoms was compatible with the

findings of the nerve conduction studies. Among the major development

and the wrist extension angle while typing on a computer keyboard.

Computer workers who kept their wrists extended by more than 20 degrees

were at greater risk of developing CTS.