Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is relatively common in today's workplace and can affect either one or both hands. Research indicates it is two to five times more prevalent in women than in men. According to one estimate, those involved in production word processing can make up to 23,000 repetitive keystrokes per hour. Typing at an average of only 40 words per minute will cause repetitive motion of the affected area of the arm and wrist at about 12,000 keystrokes per hour. This type of repetitive motion can result in a range of crippling hand disorders from tenosynovitis to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
Awareness can be one of the best strategies to prevent repetitive strain injuries in the workplace.
Ongoing training of instructors, staff and supervisors to recognize and prevent the problem of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome can do a great deal to minimize the number of injuries. If your hands have ever ached after a long day at the keyboard, or if you have come in contact with others with similar symptoms, in most cases it could be a temporary case of tenosynovitis. Continued swelling could lead to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and the sharp, hard pain it causes. Aggressive action to modify the workstation and work habits of the affected individual should be taken. The basic tests for determining the presence of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome are not difficult to administer, but should be administered by a trained health care professional.