National Office
CSTE
2872 Woodcock Blvd
Suite 303
Atlanta, GA 30341
770-458-3811
770-458-8516
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Indicator 8: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Cases Identified in State Workers’ Compensation Systems |
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| • Annual number and rate of carpal tunnel syndrome cases identified in state workers’ compensation systems |
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| Data Source: Numbers of CTS cases: State workers’ compensation systems. Numbers of workers covered by workers’ compensation used to calculate rates: National Academy of Social Insurance |
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) occurs when the median nerve is compressed at the wrist. Symptoms range from a burning, tingling, or numbness in the fingers to difficulty gripping or holding objects. Workplace factors that may cause or aggravate CTS include direct trauma, repetitive forceful motions or awkward postures of the hands, and use of vibrating tools or equipment.1 CTS has the longest average disability duration among the top ten workers’ compensation conditions in the United States.2
Claims data from state workers’ compensation systems were used as the data source for this occupational health indicator (OHI). Most state systems capture all claims filed while others include only claims that have been reviewed and accepted There are also substantial differences among states in workers’ compensation claim coding systems, criteria for claim eligibility, reimbursement, and other administrative regulations (see Technical notes). Therefore, differences among states in work-related carpal tunnel syndrome as defined in this OHI reflect variations in both workers’ compensation systems and CTS incidence. For this reason, this OHI should be used to monitor trends in work-related carpal tunnel syndrome within states over time rather than to compare data/trends between states.
Cases were limited to those identified through “lost-time” claims. These are claims for which workers missed sufficient time from work to qualify for benefits to compensate for lost wages and/or functional impairments for time loss.
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| Data |
| • 2000 click here to view table |
| • 2001 click here to view table |
| • 2002 click here to view table |
| • 2003 click here to view table |
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