Carpal Tunnel Syndrome - Risk Factors

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Other Very High-Risk Workers. Workers in the meat and fish packing industries and those who assemble airplanes have the highest risk for CTS, according to one study. Meat packers complained of pain and loss of hand function as long ago as the 1860s. Even today, the incidence of carpal tunnel syndrome in the meat, poultry, and fish packing industries may be as high as 15%. CTS may also affect as many as 10% of automobile workers.

Musicians. Musicians are at very high risk for CTS and other problems related to the muscles and nerves in the hands, upper trunk, and neck. In one study, 20% of musicians reported CTS or other nerve disorders in the hands and wrists.

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Highest to Lowest Numbers of CTS Events by Job. The following is a list of occupations published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which rates workers with the highest to lowest total numbers of CTS-related events:

• Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers
• Customer service representatives
• First-line supervisors/office managers and administrative support workers
• Janitors, maids, and housekeepers
• Food service managers
• First-line supervisors/managers of retail sales workers
• Automotive service technicians and mechanics
• Executive secretaries and administrative assistants
• Financial managers
• Sewing machine operators
• Truck drivers
• Office clerks
• Accounting and auditing clerks
• Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers
• Sheet metal workers
• Packers and packagers
• Computer software engineers
• Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers
• Stock clerks and order fillers
• Tire repairers and changers
• Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders

SOURCE: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, November 2006

Workers' Compensation and CTS. The issues surrounding workers' compensation make it difficult to accurately determine whether labor conditions cause carpal tunnel pain. However, CTS is a major contributor to workers' compensation cases.

Psychosocial Factors in the Workplace. Studies indicate that psychosocial factors in the workplace, such as intense deadlines, a poor social work environment, and low levels of job satisfaction are major contributors to carpal tunnel pain.