Yes, your office job could lead to carpal tunnel

If you find yourself working at your desk every day, you might notice that your hands don’t work quite like they used to. Your wrist may ache, or you could have sensations of pins and needles.

These are some classic signs of carpal tunnel, which may be caused by the overuse of your wrist. Carpal tunnel syndrome can be painful or may lead to numbness, tingling, and other sensations that are difficult to manage.

What are the signs that you’re developing carpal tunnel?

Carpal tunnel has a few significant symptoms that you should notice right away. These come on gradually, but they start causing problems that are too serious to ignore. For example, you may experience:

• Tingling
• Numbness
• Weakness

You may notice that you have tingling that travels from the wrist up to your arm or that you no longer have the hand strength that you used to. Tingling and numbness may occur on and off, particularly around the index and middle fingers, the ring finger, and the thumb. Usually, the little finger is not affected.

When is it important to see a doctor for carpal tunnel symptoms?

See a doctor as soon as you can if you think you’re developing the symptoms of carpal tunnel. If this condition is caught early, physical therapy may help get it back under control. If not, then the damage could be permanent and require surgery to release the nerve.

Should you report the signs of carpal tunnel to your employer?

Yes, you should report the signs of carpal tunnel to your employer as soon as you notice them. These symptoms may be intermittent or minor at first, but they have the potential to worsen and lead to permanent damage.

The good news is that if you believe you’ve developed carpal tunnel, you should be able to see a doctor with the support of your workers’ compensation insurance. Let your employer know that you’d like to make a claim. Workers’ compensation should foot the bill for any medical care you need, as well as the time off you may need to use, as you work through a treatment and recovery plan. Contact a Charlotte workers compensation lawyer for help today.