But the facts about CTS often differ from the assertions of keyboard manufacturers and unhappy, litigious employees. Tennis elbow is a painful inflammation of the tissue that surrounds the elbow. What is not so clear to me is why my able opponents, whose backhand strokes are equally awkward, do not have tennis elbow. Repetitive stress, physical trauma, certain diseases, or specific hereditary conditions can inflame the sheaths that surround wrist tendons. Treatment of CTS usually consists of rest, splinting the wrist, and anti-inflammatory drugs.
Severe cases require surgery to relieve the pressure.
Such manual activities do not necessarily cause CTS by themselves, however. As suggested above, they can be mere triggers of CTS symptoms. Psychosocial factors . These include monotonous work, time pressure, a high workload, lack of peer support, and a poor relationship between workers and their supervisors. But while this hypothesis merits scientific investigation, factual support for it is both weak and largely inapplicable to managing CTS-related problems.