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Objectives:
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common occupational disease. The aim was to assess the effect of preventive measures in automotive assembly workers.
Material and methods:
The analysis summarizes data from annual crosssectional studies. The 7-year analysis of data was based on medical records obtained from an occupational physician...
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Citations
... In a study by Page et al, more than 10% of participants noted that avoiding repetitive movement also prevents CTS, which is disparate to our present study ( Figure 5) Wellman et al reported that changing tools and tasks, thus decreasing recurrent wrist movements, were steps to prevent CTS [19]. By increasing the number of breaks, reducing work hours, and decreasing the recurrent wrist movement would prevent the CTS [20]. Alyousef et al revealed that oral analgesics and splint are most used to cure CTS [21]. ...
... Consequently, it is difficult to evaluate our reported IR of 3.1 cases per 1000 person-years. Studies have, however, found associations between characteristic snap-fit movements, such as repetitive wrist movements and overuse of the upper extremities, and carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) (Palmer et al. 2007;Spahn et al. 2012;Zidkova et al. 2017)-the musculoskeletal disorder most frequently leading to ULFLs in our population, and in, e.g., Czechian automotive workers the most frequently recognized occupational disease (Zidkova et al. 2017). Regarding CTS, retrospective studies reported an IR of 1.74 per 1000 person-years in industrial populations (Franklin et al. 1991). ...
... Consequently, it is difficult to evaluate our reported IR of 3.1 cases per 1000 person-years. Studies have, however, found associations between characteristic snap-fit movements, such as repetitive wrist movements and overuse of the upper extremities, and carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) (Palmer et al. 2007;Spahn et al. 2012;Zidkova et al. 2017)-the musculoskeletal disorder most frequently leading to ULFLs in our population, and in, e.g., Czechian automotive workers the most frequently recognized occupational disease (Zidkova et al. 2017). Regarding CTS, retrospective studies reported an IR of 1.74 per 1000 person-years in industrial populations (Franklin et al. 1991). ...
... Still, our IR is not higher than that of a general Italian population, in which a CTS IR of 3.3 per 1000 person-years was reported (Mondelli et al. 2002). Nevertheless, IRs of CTS are heavily influenced by the case definition method applied, with highly varying prevalence and incidence numbers as a result (Franzblau et al. 1993;Zidkova et al. 2017). Werner et al. documented in 189 automotive workers an IR for CTS of 99 cases per 1000 person-years (Werner et al. 2005), however, included also self-reported cases, which thus contrary to our cases were not clinically confirmed. ...
Objectives
The use of snap-fits in car-part assembling has developed into an industrial standard. Cross-sectional evidence indicates, however, that this assembling process might adversely affect workers’ upper limb function. The objective of this study was to analyze incident cases of upper limb functional limitations (ULFL) in relation to exposure to snap-fit assembly.
Methods
We performed a nested case–control study within a population of 5139 blue-collar automotive production workers. Cases with ULFL detected during follow-up were matched with controls based on employment duration and investigated on their exposure to snap-fit assembly. By conditional logistic regression, we modeled the risk for ULFL according to person-years of exposure to snap-fit assembly, adjusted for gender and baseline BMI.
Results
Overall, 64 ULFL cases were detected during a follow-up of 20610.8 person-years (3.1 cases per 1000 person-years). Cases, matched with an average of 4 controls, had significantly longer exposure duration to snap-fit assembly compared with controls (M = 1.15 person-years, SD = 1.68 person-years vs. M = 0.41 person-years, SD = 1.25 person-years). One person-year of exposure to snap-fit assembly was associated with an approximate 20% risk increase of developing ULFLs (OR 1.23, 95% CI 1.08–1.39).
Conclusions
We confirm an association between accumulated exposure to snap-fits in car-part assembling and upper limb musculoskeletal disorders. Company physicians should thus be vigilant to symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders of the upper limbs in snap-fit assembly and support the development of threshold values for snap-fit insertion forces.
... There was no correlation between the obtained changes in the quality of the 2-point sensation test and the nature of occupational work (p = 0.4684). physician, adherence to occupational health and safety rules and preventive measures taken at workplaces reduce the incidence of CTS and decrease the grade of median nerve damage among workers [30]. Spector mentioned more effective use of conservative methods of treatment and the appropriate modification of the nature of work as an integrated approach to long-term CTS-related disability prevention [31]. ...
Objectives
The study aims to assess selected factors contributing to the long-term effects of the conservative treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome
(CTS).
Material and Methods
Forty-nine individuals diagnosed with CTS were enrolled in the study. The symptoms resulted from occupational
hand overuse in 37 patients. The assessment involved 78 hands before the therapy (study 1) and 1 year after the end of the therapy (study 2).
The clinical symptoms assessed included: pain, numbness, tingling, morning stiffness, vegetative disorders and difficulties in activities of daily living
(ADL). The range of motion (ROM) in the hand joints and the pressure generated during the cylindrical grip were measured. Phalen’s tests, an
electrodiagnostic test and a 2-point discrimination study were performed.
Results
A significant reduction of symptoms and improvement in tested
parameters were found in study 2. The largest ROM in the hand, the lowest level of pain and the largest reduction in the frequency of daytime tingling
were found in the oldest patients in study 2. In subjects with better initial electrodiagnostic test results, a significant reduction in daytime numbness
and daytime tingling was obtained. In individuals previously subjected to conservative therapy, a significant improvement in the ROM of the hand
and a better quality of sensation were noted in study 2. A higher level of pain, a lower reduction in the frequency of daytime tingling, and a smaller
improvement in ADL capacity were noted in individuals who overused their hands at work after the therapy.
Conclusions
The effects of conservative
CTS treatment after 1 year, expressed as the reduction of subjective symptoms, were independent of the patient’s age. A worse initial electrodiagnostic
test result is a predictor of less favorable therapy results. Hand overuse during occupational activity may negatively affect the effects of conservative
treatment in individuals with CTS. A change in the nature of occupational activity positively influenced the long-term maintenance of the effects of
conservative treatment. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2019;32(2):197–215
... This is also true for the studied plant where automobile parts are assembled, with CTS being the most common health problem in workers exposed to upper extremity overuse. Despite the fact that several targeted technological and organizational preventive measures were put in place in the plant (e.g., improved workplace ergonomics or directed rotation of workers between various operations), the health problem still persists [5]. ...
Objectives:
Occupational carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) due to upper extremity overuse has in recent years been the most commonly recognized occupational disease in the Czech Republic and its prevalence has steadily increased. This pilot observation aimed to assess the effects of exercise techniques and oral enzyme therapy in automotive plant workers with early CTS.
Patients and methods:
The observation comprised automotive plant assembly line workers in whom nerve conduction study revealed incipient CTS. The subjects were divided into three groups: a group practicing exercise techniques (exercising; N=15), a group receiving oral enzyme therapy (N=16), and a group of controls (N=14). Subjects in the control group were only observed without any specific intervention, which is a common procedure in incipient CTS. Throughout 9-week observation, the workers did their jobs. Prior to and after that period, the workers' CTS-related symptoms were ascertained through structured interviews with a physician and the following median nerve parameters were measured: sensory conduction velocity (SCV) and distal motor latency (DML).
Results:
In both the exercise and enzyme therapy groups, statistically significant decreases in the total score for symptoms were achieved (p<0.0001), unlike controls. On final examination, both treated groups demonstrated significantly increased SCV as compared with the initial values (p=0.00013 and p<0.0001, respectively); in controls, the mean SCV did not significantly change. Similarly, a statistically significant shortening of DML was noted in the enzyme therapy group (p=0.008).
Conclusion:
The results showed the efficiency of both exercise and oral enzyme therapy in incipient CTS. These methods may be recommended for preventing more severe forms of CTS.
... Azman D et al. [8] in their study assessed various ultrasonographic parameters in confirmation of CTS. The inlet cross-sectional area, inlet circumference and outlet cross-sectional area of the median nerve had increased UCs (0.962, 0.920, and 0.913, respectively), sensitivities Zidkova et al. [9], studied the role of preventive measure for CTS in automotive assembly workers. Introduction of preventive measures low the prevalence of median neuropathy from 18.3% in 2011 to 10.5% in 2013 (p = 0.003). ...
... Introduction of preventive measures low the prevalence of median neuropathy from 18.3% in 2011 to 10.5% in 2013 (p = 0.003). The preventive measures included, causes of CTS, changes of tools, switching of working tasks and thus decreasing repetitive wrist movements, transfer to less stress job or introducing more breaks in between work [9]. ...
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is one of the most frequent compression neuropathies involving the median nerve during its course through the carpal tunnel. The prevalence in the general population is about 3.0-5.8 percent among women and 0.6-2.1% among men, based on both clinical symptoms and nerve conduction study (NCS). High stress and pressure in the carpal tunnel may lead to the development of CTS. This is now mostly accepted that exposure to hand-arm vibrations and combination of repetitive hand force use may be the causative factor. In the recent years, the widespread use of computers and laptops has lead to a matter of concern whether the use of these devices could be a risk factor in the causation of CTS. Hence this article reviews the relation between computer users and CTS, the methods of early diagnosis and ways to prevent it.
Los DME siguen siendo la principal causa de morbilidad laboral en el mundo, lo que plantea una reflexión sobre la efectividad de las estrategias actuales de prevención. La prevención en los entornos laborales debe responder a los riesgos propios de la organización con la implementación de medidas en la fuente, el medio y el individuo, priorizadas de acuerdo con los niveles de riesgo. El diseño de programas de prevención multicomponente por los profesionales de SST adecuados a los problemas detectados (medicina ocupacional, ergonomía, diseño industrial, higiene industrial, terapia ocupacional, entre otros), que integren medidas en todos los niveles de la jerarquía de controles y en todos los niveles de prevención, en un marco donde se involucren a todos los actores del entorno ocupacional, corresponde a los lineamientos actuales sobre estrategias de prevención exitosas para trastornos musculoesqueléticos, incluyendo los DME del miembro superior. Adicionalmente, las estrategias de intervención temprana en todos los niveles de prevención (desde la promoción de la salud hasta la rehabilitación) han demostrado ser efectivas para disminuir la incidencia y prevalencia de DME, mejorar el pronóstico funcional y las tasas de discapacidad de los trabajadores, y lograr reincorporaciones laborales tempranas y efectivas.
