You hear jokes about jobs that can kill you and likely conjure up images of police involved in altercations, firefighters combating blazes, or constructions workers laboring in extreme conditions. Sitting at a desk all day on Wauwatosa likely is not something that you would classify as dangerous. Yet as many of those that our team here at Paul M. Erspamer, S.C. have discovered, on-the-job injuries that occur in the office can be just as debilitating as those that happen in other industries. Among the more common of these is carpal tunnel syndrome.
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, carpal tunnel syndrome is characterized by a numbness or burning in the fingers (specifically in the thumb and index fingers). Over time, it can even lead to a complete loss of feeling in the fingers. Carpal tunnel makes it difficult for you to perform simple daily tasks, such as:
- Grasping
- Pressing
- Typing
You might even find that carpal tunnel syndrome makes it difficult to even bend your fingers to form a fist.
Carpal tunnel is most often associated with repetitive motion (indeed, the NINDS lists frequent wrist motion, the consistent use of vibrating hand tools and general manual stress as causes of the condition). However, identifying a single cause is often difficult. This may complicate matters if you are looking to submit a workers’ compensation claim to cover the medical expenses that arise from your carpal tunnel treatment. However, the other potential causes of carpal tunnel include rheumatoid arthritis, wrist or hand trauma, and abnormal gland activity. If these cannot be identified in your case, then making the argument that your condition is due to the demands of your job becomes easier.
More information on dealing with workplace injuries can be found throughout our site.
