est. In fact, the disorder may be distinguished from similar conditions by pain occurring at night after going to bed. In some cases, labor related CTS symptoms first occur outside of work, so patients may fail to associate the symptoms with work related activity. Anyone with recurrent or persistent pain, numbness and tingling, or weakness of the hand should consult a physician for a diagnosis.IN 1988, 2.8 million people reported symptoms to their doctors that they believed were those of CTS. In a study done in 1998, "experts estimated that between 7% and 16% of the population experience CTS. The incidence appears to be increasing. People over age 54 were at higher risk than younger adults. The wide variation severity and the difficulty in diagnosis make it hard to pinpoint specific figures." (Simon, 1998)The workers at high risk are those whose occupations combine force and repetition of the same motion in the fingers and hand for long periods. Such workers include those in the construction workers, meat and fish packaging, and dentists/dental technicians using vibrating tools. The vibrating tools range from jackhammers, chain saws, saws, drills, and machinery. Meat packers complained of pain and loss of hand function and loss of hand function as long ago as the 1860's. Even today, the incidence of CTS in meat, poultry, and fish packing industries may be as high as 15%. Workers in these industries and those who assemble airplanes have the highest risk of CTS, according to one study. In addition, high risk for CTS has been reported in other assembly line workers, cake decorators, postal workers, and beauticians/barbers. In essence, any workers who use their hands and wrists repetitively are at risk. People who engaged intensively in certain domestic occupations, including knitting, sewing and needlepoint, cooking, housework, carpentry, and extensive use of power tools are also at risk. Many leisure activities in the home can contribut...
