Carpal Tunnel Syndrome - Risk Factors

Risk Factors

Evidence suggests that about 3% of women and 2% of men will be diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome during their lifetime. The condition peaks in women over age 55. Still, determining how many people actually have CTS is very difficult. Many people who report CTS symptoms have normal test results. Other people have abnormal test results but no symptoms.

Age

Older people are at higher risk for CTS than younger adults. CTS is very rare in children.

Women

Many studies indicate that women have a significantly higher risk for carpal tunnel syndrome than men. According to the National Institutes of Health, women are three times more likely than men to have carpal tunnel syndrome. The explanation for this greater risk is unknown, but it may be related to the smaller size of a woman's carpal tunnel. Hormonal changes also appear to play a major role in CTS.

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In pregnant women, CTS may occur in both wrists. CTS that begins during pregnancy is usually not severe and persistent enough to require treatment. Although cases eventually go away on their own after delivery, symptoms may persist for 6 months or more.

CTS has also been shown to increase:

• After delivering a baby
• During menopause

Women are also at a much higher risk for autoimmune disorders than men. These disorders are significantly linked to CTS.

Obesity and Lack of Fitness

Being overweight is a consistent risk factor for CTS. Greater body mass appears to reduce the speed of nerve messages into the hand. Obesity is also related to poor physical fitness, which may increase risk. Weight is strongly linked to CTS in patients under age 63, but it may be a less important factor as people get older.

Specific Workers at Risk for CTS

Workers who use their hands and wrists repetitively are at risk for CTS, particularly if they work in cold temperatures and have factors or medical conditions that make them susceptible to the condition.

Computer Users and Typists. Repetitive typing and key entry has traditionally been associated with missing work due to CTS. The risk for CTS in this group, however, is still much lower than it is in occupations involving heavy labor. Although more than 10% of computer users complain of CTS symptoms, the evidence implicating computer use as a major cause of CTS is weak.