Experiences with preventing carpal tunnel syndrome in an automotive plant

Abstract

Objectives: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common occupational disease. The aim was to assess the effect of preventive measures in automotive assembly workers. Material and Methods: The analysis summarizes data from annual crosssectional studies. The 7-year analysis of data was based on medical records obtained from an occupational physician and inspections carried out at the workplace where targeted preventive measures were introduced, including better ergonomic arrangement of the workplace, technical adjustments facilitating the work, preventive nerve conduction studies (NCS) testing of the median nerve once a year, switching of workers and their targeted rotation within the workplace. The NCS testing of median nerve conduction at the wrist was the basic objective method for assessment of the prevalence and severity of CTS. Over the study period, the sample comprised 1804 workers at risk for repetitive overuse of the upper extremities, of whom 281 were females with a mean age of 38.5 years and 1523 were males with a mean age of 31.4 years. Results: Over the study period, a total of 13 cases of CTS were recognized as an occupational disease in the plant, 8 of which occurred within the first 2 years from the initiation of production. Introduction of preventive measures decreased the prevalence of median neuropathy from 18.3% of examined extremities in 2011 to 10.5% in 2013 (p = 0.003). In early 2014, the production pace increased and this was accompanied by a rise in abnormal NCS findings to 16.9%. Over the study period, the rate of sensorimotor neuropathy decreased in favor of merely sensory neuropathies, which have been most frequent since 2013. The percentage of employees whose contracts were terminated due to median neuropathy decreased steadily from 5.5% to 0.4%. Conclusions: Targeted prevention of work-related CTS is effective as evidenced by the decrease in the prevalence of median neuropathy detected by NCS. Int J Occup Med Environ Health 2017;30(1):45-54

Factors determining the effectiveness of conservative treatment in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome

“…There was no correlation between the obtained changes in the quality of the 2-point sensation test and the nature of occupational work (p = 0.4684). physician, adherence to occupational health and safety rules and preventive measures taken at workplaces reduce the incidence of CTS and decrease the grade of median nerve damage among workers [30]. Spector mentioned more effective use of conservative methods of treatment and the appropriate modification of the nature of work as an integrated approach to long-term CTS-related disability prevention [31].…”

Comparative study on awareness about carpal tunnel syndrome among dental professionals in India and Malaysia

“…Wellman et al reported that changing tools and tasks, thus decreasing recurrent wrist movements, were steps to prevent CTS [19]. By increasing the number of breaks, reducing work hours, and decreasing the recurrent wrist movement would prevent the CTS [20]. Alyousef et al revealed that oral analgesics and splint are most used to cure CTS [21].…”

Effects of Exercise and Enzyme Therapy in Early Occupational Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Preliminary Study

“…This is also true for the studied plant where automobile parts are assembled, with CTS being the most common health problem in workers exposed to upper extremity overuse. Despite the fact that several targeted technological and organizational preventive measures were put in place in the plant (e.g., improved workplace ergonomics or directed rotation of workers between various operations), the health problem still persists [5].…”