Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most widely known entrapment neuropathy. The aim of this study
was to assess the incidence of CTS in a group of computer workers by typical symptoms, median nerve
conduction studies, and their combinations. The posture of extended wrists while typing on a computer
keyboard seems to be a predisposing factor for CTS. However, the correlation between wrist extension
angle and the incidence of CTS is not well known. Forty-five subjects (mean age, 38.8 ± 7.8 years) who
used a computer for more than 6 hours daily in a medical center in southern Taiwan were studied. All
completed questionnaires to ascertain their age, employment duration, dominant hand, and the severity
of symptoms. Physical examinations (Tinel’s sign and Phalen’s test) were performed by a physician. The
maximal wrist extension angle when typing on a computer keyboard was also measured by the same
physician. Nerve conduction studies were performed on each subject to determine the severity of CTS.
Results showed that the incidence of CTS in the computer workers was 16.7% (15 of 90 hands). Twelve
subjects showed electrodiagnostic evidence of CTS: it involved the dominant hand in seven, the nondominant
hand in two, and bilateral hands in three. The severity of clinical symptoms was compatible
with the findings of the nerve conduction studies. Among the major predisposing factors, we found
significant correlation between CTS development and the wrist extension angle while typing on a computer
keyboard. Computer workers who kept their wrists extended by more than 20° were at greater risk of
developing CTS.
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most widely known entrapment neuropathy. The aim of this studywas to assess the incidence of CTS in a group of computer workers by typical symptoms, median nerveconduction studies, and their combinations. The posture of extended wrists while typing on a computerkeyboard seems to be a predisposing factor for CTS. However, the correlation between wrist extensionangle and the incidence of CTS is not well known. Forty-five subjects (mean age, 38.8 ± 7.8 years) whoused a computer for more than 6 hours daily in a medical center in southern Taiwan were studied. Allcompleted questionnaires to ascertain their age, employment duration, dominant hand, and the severityof symptoms. Physical examinations (Tinel’s sign and Phalen’s test) were performed by a physician. Themaximal wrist extension angle when typing on a computer keyboard was also measured by the samephysician. Nerve conduction studies were performed on each subject to determine the severity of CTS.Results showed that the incidence of CTS in the computer workers was 16.7% (15 of 90 hands). Twelvesubjects showed electrodiagnostic evidence of CTS: it involved the dominant hand in seven, the nondominanthand in two, and bilateral hands in three. The severity of clinical symptoms was compatiblewith the findings of the nerve conduction studies. Among the major predisposing factors, we foundsignificant correlation between CTS development and the wrist extension angle while typing on a computerkeyboard. Computer workers who kept their wrists extended by more than 20° were at greater risk ofdeveloping CTS.
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