The following points help to illustrate the importance of occupational medicine in the timely diagnosis and management of CTS,
General
General
- In Ontario, CTS is the most prevalent WMSD of the upper extremity1
- 10% lifetime risk of developing CTS2
- In Ontario, 5% of all lost time claims are due to repetitive motion3
- In Ontario, Use of hand tools (powered and non-powered) account for 4% of all lost time claims3
- In Ontario, CTS accounts for 1% of all lost time claims3
- Total cost per worker for unilateral and bilateral CTS was approximately $11,000 and $20,000 respectively4
- Of the total cost the largest expense was lost time benefits (56%)4
- Only 60% of workers return to their original employment5
- CTS claimants average earnings loss over 6 years was up to $89,0006
A sheet metal worker moves a single panel to a corner for later use. Note the slight truncal extension which places strain on the lumbar spine, as well as the forceful gripping required to lift up the smooth sheet metal.
Image Source: Victoria Squissato
1Beaton DE. Examining the clinical course of work-related musculoskeletal disorders of the upper extremity using the Ontario Workers’ Compensation Board administrative database. Toronto: University of Toronto, 1995.
2Practice parameter for carpal tunnel syndrome [summary statement]. Report of the Quality Standards Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology. Neurology. 1993;43:2406-2409.
3Supplemental Statistics to the 2009 Annual Report. Workplace Safety and Insurance Board.
4Manktelow RT. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Cross-Sectional and Outcome Study in Ontario Workers. The Journal of Hand Surgery. 2004;29(2):307-317. Figures were adjusted for inflation using the Bank of Canada inflation calulator (http://www.bankofcanada.ca/rates/related/inflation-calculator/), accessed on July 25, 2011.
5Lyall JM, Gliner J, Hubbell MK. Treatment of worker’s compensation cases of carpal tunnel syndrome: an outcome study. Journal of Hand Therapy. 2002:15(3):251-259.