Cumulative trauma disorders and carpal tunnel syndrome: Sorting out the confusion

Abstract

Chronic work injury will be implicated as a cause of upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders in increasing numbers of patients. A wide variety of conditions, some with a specific diagnosis (eg, carpal tunnel syndrome) and a known response to treatment in contrast to more generalized disorders (eg, tendonitis) where the prognosis is uncertain form part of the spectrum. Experience has demonstrated that as the diagnosis becomes less specific, job related and emotional factors can significantly affect the patient's presentation, response to treatment and timing to return to work. Care needs to be exercised in implicating work in the etiology. General terms such as ‘cumulative trauma disorder’ and ‘repetitive strain injury’ need to be avoided.