Recent Statistics Concerning Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

One of the most unexpected consequences of the spread of computers in the white collar workplace has been the enormous rise in repetitive stress injuries (RSI), a category that includes Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. CTS has dramatically affected both workers and employers alike. Following are some recent statistics relating to this fast growing, workplace related injury:

Repetitive stress injuries continue to ravage U.S. workplaces. Reported cases of RSI are up 770% from 10 years ago. (According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, 1994)RSI continues to be the fastest growing workplace illness in the U.S., now accounting for about two-thirds of all reported cases. (According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, 1994.)Of all reported cases of repetitive stress injuries, carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the condition most frequently reported. (According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, 1994.)

Women account for about 45% of all workers in the U.S. and they experience nearly two-thirds of all work-related CTS and other forms of RSI. (According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, 1992.)Women are also at a greater risk for developing carpal tunnel syndrome than male workers due to a combination of anatomical, physiological and "social" factors. (According to the U..S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, 1992.)

Half of all workers afflicted with carpal tunnel syndrome missed 30 days or more of work. (According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, 1995.)The average CTS claim cost $3,500 in benefits and up to $40,000 in medical costs.Repetitive stress injuries cost employers more than $20 billion for 2.73 million workers' compensation claims. Indirect costs may run as high as $100 billion. (According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), 1993.) By the year 2000, RSI will account for 50 cents of each dollar spent on medical care. (According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), 1995.)

An industry survey found that 55% of large companies reported an increase in workers' complaints in just one year (1995-1996) and most were taking preventive actions: 84% said they were modifying equipment/task/processes; 83% said they were analyzing work stations/jobs; and 79% were buying new equipment to alleviate these problems. (According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), 1997.)