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Are Working Women More At
Risk For Developing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Than Male Workers?
Absolutely! Traditionally "female intensive jobs"-
secretary, reservationist, telephone operator, telemarketer, etc., are
also "repetitive motion intensive" thereby placing women at a higher
risk for developing Carpal Tunnel Sydrome.
Consider the following numbers:
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In 1992, the
Bureau of Labor Statistics found that while women accounted for about
45% of all workers, they experienced nearly 2/3's of all work-related
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Repetitive Stress Injuries.
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A report by
NIOSH revealed that more than 50% of all food cashiers (jobs
predominently held by women) suffered to some degree, from Carpal
Tunnel Syndrome and other Repetitive Stress Injuries as a result of
the physical demands of scanning products at high speed.
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Nearly 25%
or 355,000 members of the Union of Needle and Industrial Textile
Employees suffer from Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and other Repetitive
Stress Injuries. Women make up 75% of their membership.
Women
are also at a greater risk for developing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome than
male workers due to a combination of factors including:
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ANATOMICAL-
Women congenitally have smaller, square shaped wrists and consequently
have a narrower carpal tunnel passage which predisposes them to
developing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. According to Dr. Robert Markison, a
noted hand surgeon at the University of California at San Francisco,
"because women have, on the average, a slightly lower body
temperature, they are inclined to be 'cool-handed.' Cool hands are
more prone to develop Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and are much slower to
heal."
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PHYSIOLOGICAL-
While a job that requires constant repetitive motion is the primary
cause for developing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, women face an increased
likelihood for developing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome due to several
contributing factors including pregnancy, menopause, hormonal changes
from the use of birth control pills and gynecological surgery, all of
which can result in soft tissue changes and swelling of the wrists.
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SOCIAL-
Researchers have established that work-related stress can render women
more susceptible to developing certain soft tissue changes increasing
the likelihood of developing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Even though men
and women are under ever increasing pressures due to down-sizing and
productivity demands, women typically have to cope with additional
stresses; working for multiple bosses, unequal pay and household
responsibilities.
The majority of female Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
claimants are employed in an office
environment where there is a relatively low incidence of traumatic
work-related injuries. Therefore, they have little personal experience
of the practical and legal complexities of the Workers' Compensation
claim process, making them "easy prey" for the Workers'
Compensation insurance company adjustors.
What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
What are other types of Repetitive Stress Injury?
How serious is the Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
problem?
Basic 4 Step Procedure for diagnosing CTS and
other RSI
What alternative methods are available to
treat CTS and other RSI?
Can employers prevent their employees from
developing CTS and other RSI?
What forces are preventing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
victims from exercising their right to receive Workers Compensation
benefits?
What are the "dangers" of processing Carpal
Tunnel Syndrome related medical bills through group health insurance?
Frequently Asked Questions about Carpal Tunnel
Syndrome
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