Neurol. praxi. 2014;15(5):234-239

Occupational carpal tunnel syndrome

MUDr. Eduard Minks¹, MUDr. Alexandra Minksová¹, prof. MUDr. Petr Brhel,CSc.², MUDr. Viera Babičová³

¹ 1. neurologická klinika LF MU a FN u sv. Anny v Brně

² Klinika pracovního lékařství LF MU a FN u sv. Anny v Brně

³ Krajská hygienická stanice Jihomoravského kraje se sídlem v Brně

Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common mononeuropathy and the most common occupational disease the physicians can encounter in their practice. It is a compressive neuropathy in the wrist that occurs as a result of long-term, excessive and unilateral overload of the hand and wrist, due to vibration transmission to the hand or that is caused by diseases such as diabetes mellitus or thyroid disease. Clinically, this disease is most often characterized by paresthesia/dysesthesia of fingers 1 to 4 and by thenar atrophy. Electromyography is used to quantify the disability. Moderate degree of the disease is a boundary that determines the conservative versus surgical approach and this level is also required for the condition to be recognized as an occupational disease. The aim of the article is to provide elementary practical information on the carpal tunnel syndrome with a focus on its occupational cause.

Keywords: carpal tunnel syndrome, occupational diseases, mononeuropathy, occupational carpal tunnel syndrome, compression neuropathy

Published: November 18, 2014  Show citation