Carpal Tunnel Syndrome among Occupational Workers in India

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is one of the most widely observed peripheral neuropathies among industrial workers. Occupations involving use of wrist for long working hours are associated with increased occurrence of CTS. Exposure to machine vibrations, force and stress, and repetitive motions further add to the risk. We study the prevalence of CTS among a variety of such workers viz., tempo-drivers, masonry workers, bottom-passing shoe workers and tailors. Motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV) experiments are performed to find out the percentage occurrence of CTS using RMS Aleron 201 electromyography machine. Workers’ gripping strength data is also collected using hand dynamometer (SS25, Biopac MP 150 system, Biopac Inc., USA). MNCV studies of the median nerve are performed on 34 workers belonging to four occupations mentioned; out of them nearly 47% workers are found to have CTS. The results suggest that use of wrist for long working hours (10 hours or more) attribute to the incidence of CTS among listed occupational workers. It is observed that per day work duration of tailors, masonry workers, and tempo-drivers is more than that of bottom-passing shoe workers. However tailors are found to be worst affected owing to frequent pinch force exertions and awkward working posture. Bottom-passing shoe workers are less affected due to their shorter working hours (7-8 hours), simple posture, and sufficient rest breaks.