A conceptual quantitative model for prevention of work-related carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)

Abstract In this paper the authors present a pathogenic mechanism of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and a heuristic conceptual model to assess the musculoskeletal stress of manual work for the purpose of establishing quantitative guidelines to prevent work-related CTS. The model is based on the concept that the frictional energy of manual work within the wrist initiates local tenosynovitis as and CTS, the value of the product should not exceed a limit derived from the population-based threshold. Reliable, validated techniques should be used for gathering data on the stress factors of manual work for the purpose of establishing quantative guidelines to control and prevent work-related CTS.

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