Hand Doctor Uzma Rehman Shares Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Statistics

If you are suffering from Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) you are not alone! More than eight million people are affected by carpal tunnel syndrome each year, with an estimated 500,000 carpal tunnel surgeries performed annually.

As the top Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) doctor in the Bloomfield Hills and West Bloomfield area, Doctor Rehman has helped thousands of men and women obtain relief from the pain, tingling and numbness of carpal tunnel syndrome.

In this article we share some interesting statistics about Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

Frequency of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

The incidence of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in the general population is estimated to range from 1% to 5% of adults in the United States – making it one of the most common chronic conditions. This means that up to roughly 1 out of every 20 people in the country will experience Carpal Tunnel Syndrome at some point in their lives.

According to past statistics released by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) an estimated 3.1% of employed adults aged 18-64 suffered from carpal tunnel syndrome in 2010.

The Bureau of Labor and Statistics and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), both report that carpal tunnel surgery is the second most common type of surgery performed in the United States every year.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome by Age & Gender

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is exceedingly uncommon in children and young adults. It typically manifests in adults aged 40 to 60, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Women are diagnosed with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome at a rate three times higher than men. This is likely due to anatomical differences in the wrist and hormonal fluctuations. In both pregnant and menopausal women, hormonal fluctuations and fluid retention can contribute to the development of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome by Race & Ethnicity

While many factors contribute to the development of CTS, recent studies have also explored its prevalence among different racial and ethnic groups.

A study conducted by the CDC (Center for Disease Control) examining data from the California Department of Industrial Relations found that there were disparities in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome incidence among different ethnic groups. For instance, the incidence rates for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in a meat packing plant study showed that Asian mixed and white workers had higher rates (12.0 and 12.2 cases per 100 person-years, respectively) compared to other ethnic groups (7.2 cases per 100 person-years)​​.

Understanding the prevalence and risk factors of CTS among different racial and ethnic groups is crucial for developing targeted interventions and preventive strategies and much more study is needed in this area. Health professionals and employers can use this information to implement ergonomic improvements, provide regular screenings, and promote early treatment to reduce the incidence and severity of CTS in high-risk populations.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in the Workplace

Carpal tunnel syndrome is responsible for more missed work days than any other nonfatal injury or illness, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics – affecting more than 5 million U.S. workers! A study conducted by the CDC (Center for Disease Control) examining data from the California Department of Industrial Relations found that female employees are more likely to develop CTS than men, with rates of 8.2 per 10,000 full-time equivalent workers for females compared to 2.5 for males.

Almost half of the carpal tunnel cases result in 31 days or more of work loss according to a study published by the National Center for Health Statistics. Additionally, carpal tunnel syndrome is responsible for 32.5% of repetitive motion injuries at the workplace.

Jobs with repetitive hand motions or forceful gripping put individuals at higher risk. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons reports that the highest-risk industries include manufacturing, construction, and assembly lines.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the top five occupations experiencing carpal tunnel syndrome are:

  1. Assemblers
  2. Cashiers
  3. Secretaries
  4. General office clerks
  5. Laborers

Female employees, between the ages of 45-64, report twice as many cases of carpal tunnel syndrome than men in the same age group.

And 10-15% of carpal tunnel syndrome surgery patients change jobs after surgery – according to a study by the University of Maryland Medical Center.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Doctor Bloomfield Hills, West Bloomfield

If you think you may be suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome, contact Dr. Rehman for a comprehensive evaluation and consultation. As with most medical conditions, early detection, awareness, and a prevention or treatment plan is the most effective way to combat the effects of conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome.

She will assess your individual situation, and prescribe the treatments that are best for your condition.

Bloomfield Hills Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Doctor: 248.940.5233

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