Carpal Tunnel Syndrome from Work
The most common cause of carpal tunnel syndrome is repetitive wrist motion, which impingements the median nerve at the wrist area. A wrist injury or infection can also cause carpal tunnel syndrome. Whatever the case, you may need the services of a Sacramento workers’ compensation lawyer. Our attorneys can help you understand why carpal tunnel syndrome is considered a disability and if carpal tunnel syndrome is permanent. We can discuss what happens if carpal tunnel syndrome is not treated and how long you are off work after carpal tunnel surgery. If you think you developed carpal tunnel syndrome from work and want help with your medical needs, call Sacramento Workers’ Compensation Attorneys, P.C. today.
An injury of the median nerve causes carpal tunnel syndrome. It is the nerve responsible for the sensation of your fingers, thumb, and palm. It is also responsible for the motor functions of some more minor muscles in the fingers and the thumb.
Due to repetitive wrist motions, this nerve gets compressed at the wrist area, resulting in pain and numbness in the areas supplied by this nerve. It also causes muscle weakness in the hands and fingers.
Carpal tunnel syndrome may be considered a disability since you can’t enjoy full, pain-free use of your hand. The pain and weakness caused by carpal tunnel syndrome may limit your day-to-day activities.
Carpal tunnel syndrome can be a debilitating wrist injury that prevents you from enjoying life and performing your daily activities. In some people, resting the hand usually helps ease the symptoms.
However, if left untreated, carpal tunnel syndrome can permanently damage the median nerve, resulting in constant pain and numbness. Muscle loss may also happen due to muscle weakness.
Carpal tunnel syndrome can significantly affect your day-to-day life. It makes it hard to grasp, hold, and pinch objects. Simple tasks like buttoning your shirt, typing on the keyboard, washing the dishes, and even writing with a pen become more complex.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is commonly treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and corticosteroids. These drugs help decrease pain and reduce inflammation.
Wrist splinting may be necessary to reduce the stress on the wrist. A splint holds your wrist in place, allowing the injured area to heal. Wrist splinting also helps decrease some of the symptoms associated with carpal tunnel syndrome.
However, if these measures don’t relieve carpal tunnel syndrome, you may need wrist surgery. The recovery period after carpal tunnel surgery typically takes a month to a half. It may take about three months before you have full strength. In severe cases, the recovery period can take up to a year.
How soon you can return to work depends on the nature of your work and your doctor’s recommendation. It’s always best to follow your doctor’s advice and instructions.
Untreated carpal tunnel syndrome can result in several complications. It can result in permanent median nerve damage, causing chronic and constant pain, numbness, or tingling in the hand and fingers. Untreated carpal tunnel syndrome can also cause permanent muscle weakness, muscle atrophy of the hands, and loss of coordination of the fingers and the thumb. Untreated carpal tunnel syndrome affects your daily activities and job performance.
What can you do?
High-risk jobs that commonly cause carpal tunnel syndrome include assembly line workers, hairstylists, knitters, administrative professionals, and musicians. If you’re dealing with wrist pain, numbness, and weakness and think it may be carpal tunnel syndrome from work, call Sacramento Workers’ Compensation Attorneys, P.C., or visit our website. We’ll help you learn more about this type of wrist injury and why carpal tunnel syndrome is considered a disability. We’ll also help you understand how carpal tunnel syndrome becomes permanent, the recovery time after surgery, and what happens if carpal tunnel is left untreated. If you think your injury is work-related and need help filing a complaint, contact one of our Sacramento workers’ compensation attorneys so we can start helping you today.
