Many workers’ compensation claims arise from a single accident that caused an acute injury. However, some job-related injuries do not happen all at once but instead develop gradually over a period of time. This is commonly referred to as “repetitive trauma.” A common example of this type of gradual injury is carpal tunnel syndrome,1 which is a repetitive strain injury. Workers can develop carpal tunnel after spending their days using their hands to do the same motions over and over again or using vibrating tools, such as a jack hammer. Some common tasks that can lead to carpal tunnel include:
-
Typing
-
Pulling knobs
-
Pushing buttons
-
Surgical procedures
-
Playing musical instruments
-
Any other repetitive task that requires flexing the wrist
After performing such tasks for an extended period of time at work, the median nerve running through your wrist can become compressed. This can cause pain and discomfort and can also result in a loss of sensation in your hand and fingers. While carpal tunnel may start off as a merely annoying condition, it can become serious and can have serious effects including sleep disruptions and the inability to perform job duties.
If you are diagnosed with carpal tunnel early enough, you may be able to resolve the problem without any surgical treatment. Nonsurgical treatments can include:
-
Taking breaks from your repetitive tasks
-
Applying ice packs to the affected area
-
Avoiding the movements that cause the pain
-
Wearing a splint on your wrist, especially while sleeping
-
Taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
-
Injections of corticosteroids
If the above treatments are not enough to resolve your pain and numbness, you may need surgery to correct the problem. During this procedure, your surgeon will cut the ligament that is compressing the nerve. While you recover from your surgery, your ligament will repair itself, hopefully leaving enough room for the nerve. Two types of surgery can be used - open surgery or endoscopic surgery. As with any type of surgery, recovery can take weeks and there may be complications.
Discuss Your Injury with an Experienced Hartford Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
If you need to miss work and/or need medical treatment for carpal tunnel due to your job duties, you deserve to obtain adequate workers’ compensation benefits to cover your medical costs and part of your lost income. Please call the Connecticut workers’ compensation attorneys at the law firm of Leighton, Katz & Drapeau for a free consultation at 860-875-7000 today.
1http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/carpal_tunnel/detail_carpal_tunnel.htm
