The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Computer professionals! Beware of `carpal tunnel syndrome'

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Saturday, Feb 03, 2007
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Computer professionals! Beware of `carpal tunnel syndrome'

R. Sujatha

A study by two medical scientists says the incidence increases with long hours at computers

CHENNAI : A study of employees in 21 computer companies in Chennai has revealed that one in eight computer professionals runs the risk of `carpal tunnel syndrome' (CTS) — a musculoskeletal problem. The study was done by two medical scientists from Tamil Nadu and published as a research paper in the October-December, 2006 issue of International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics.

K. Mohamed Ali, assistant professor, Department of Community Medicine, Thanjavur Medical College and B.W.C. Sathiyasekaran, head, Department of Community Medicine, Sri Ramachandra Medical College, Porur, selected 628 from 4,276 employees and found that CTS is more common among those above 30 years. The research was done in October, 2004.

What is CTS?

People, who work their fingers and thumbs for longer hours, are said to be over-using the

median nerve, running from the forearm to the palm. The nerve controls the impulses to the muscles, movement, and sensations to the palm side of the thumb and the fingers (not the little finger). The median nerve passes through a narrow passageway of ligament and bones at the base of the hand. Frequent use of the wrist could result in swelling or thickening of the tendons, exerting pressure on the nerve, doctors explain.

The symptoms begin as burning, tingling numbness in the thumb and the index and middle fingers. Weakness and pain are felt in the hand and wrist, sometimes reaching up to the arm. The symptoms occur during the night in one or both hands. As the disease progresses, the hand cannot be flexed, and grasping even small objects becomes difficult. People, who have not been treated for the condition, cannot distinguish between heat and cold.

System administrators at risk

The study results have shown that people who have less than four years of experience, work less than eight hours a day, and do only data entry work are at lesser risk.

The more the work experience, and working hours on the computer, the greater is the risk. Being overweight, smoking, and alcohol consumption increase the danger.

System administrators, who are under greater pressure and stress, are constantly involved in typing and using a mouse, are 2.4 times at greater risk for the syndrome. The study has found that men are at greater risk but the prevalence of the syndrome is higher among women in the general population. (The website of National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke in the United States says women are three times at risk for the condition.)

Dr. Sathiyasekaran said the aim was to find out how many suffered from the early symptoms.

"It is an orthopaedic problem. Most of them found with such early symptoms are already on painkillers. In the later stages they may have to leave the profession," he said.

The researchers have also suggested preventive measures. One simple recommendation is ``do not use a computer at home''.

``For, at home we do not have ergonomically designed chairs and the added effect on the wrist could increase the symptoms," said Dr. Ali.

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