Computer Use Does Not Cause Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

January 2, 2006

A new Special Health Report from Harvard Medical School refutes the

common assumption that computer use causes carpal tunnel syndrome.

Instead, says this report edited by Harvard-based hand experts,

carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by the compression of the median

nerve in the wrist. This compression may occur because of heredity,

body weight, fracture, or even pregnancy-but not computer use.

This 40-page report, " Hands: Strategies for strong, pain-free hands, "

also explains the many causes of hand pain and describes the

exercises, therapies, and medications used to treat them.

Carpal tunnel syndrome, a condition that affects between 2% and 3% of

the population, occurs when one of the three major nerves that travel

from the spinal cord down to the hand becomes " pinched. " It affects

nearly twice as many women as men. A procedure to ease this nerve

disorder is one of the most common surgeries done in the United

States, with more than 200,000 performed each year.

Recent research has found that heavy computer use-up to seven hours a

day-does not increase risk for carpal tunnel syndrome. However,

improper computer use and other workplace conditions can contribute

to a type of disorder known as repetitive stress injury. Carpal

tunnel syndrome is in fact not a repetitive stress injury, though it

is often incorrectly described as one, says the Harvard report.

The report also covers such topics as arthritis of the hand joints,

Raynaud's syndrome, finger fractures, dislocation, accidental

amputation, trigger finger, tennis elbow, lupus, and gout. You'll

learn how to keep your hands healthy and strong so you can enjoy the

pleasures of work, play, and expression for years to come.

Hands: Strategies for strong, pain-free hands is available from

Harvard Health Publications, the publishing division of Harvard

Medical School, for $24. Purchase a copy at health.harvard.edu/HND or

by calling 1-877-649-9457 (toll free).

Harvard Health Publications

Harvard Medical School

10 Shattuck St.

Ste. 612

Cambridge, MA 02115

United States

health.harvard.edu

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