Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a form of repetitive strain injury that causes pain and discomfort to the hands, wrists and arms. CTS often arises as a result of a working environment that hasn’t properly ensured its employees' chances of developing this condition are minimised. If you’ve developed CTS as a result of working in such an environment, you will be able to make a compensation claim. Get in touch with the experienced team of solicitors at JMW and we will be happy to discuss your options with you over the phone, or in person.
If you suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome, you may be entitled to financial compensation; call JMW free on 0345 872 6666 or complete our online contact form and find out if you can claim today.
What Our Clients Say
How JMW Can Help
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition that affects the hands, wrists and arms and can impact your day-to-day life, particularly while you're at work. It can affect workers of all ages and varies in severity. In the worst cases, it can be extremely debilitating and inhibit a sufferer’s ability to carry out everyday tasks.
Our team of experienced industrial disease solicitors will work hard to ensure you gain the outcome you deserve. We work in a clear and concise manner, keeping you updated every step of the way.
We have successfully settled claims for a large number of people who have been affected by carpal tunnel syndrome in the workplace, and we always strive to make the claims process as stress-free as possible.
FAQs
What are the causes of CTS?
Carpal tunnel syndrome is most commonly caused by repetitive and forceful movements of the hands and arms during work. Common repetitive activities known to cause CTS, include the following:
- Assembly line work
- Painting
- Operating machinery
- Manual labour
- Sewing
- Playing a musical instrument
This list is not exhaustive; carpal tunnel syndrome can be caused by any movements of a repetitive nature. You may be at an increased risk if you have a family history of CTS, are pregnant or have an underlying health condition such as arthritis. For information on the causes of CTS, visit the Versus Arthritis website.
What are the symptoms of CTS?
Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome vary from person to person, with the most common including:
- Numbness
- Pain
- Paresthesia (pins and needles)
- Burning
- Tingling
These symptoms are commonly present in the thumb, index finger, middle finger and half of the ring finger and develop gradually over a period of days, weeks or months, worsening during the night. In some cases, victims of carpal tunnel syndrome suffer from permanent numbness and atrophy of the muscles in the hands.
If you are suffering from any of the above symptoms, you should speak to a medical expert who will diagnose and treat your pain.
How is CTS treated?
In most cases, CTS will subside within a few months with no treatment. However, if symptoms persist, your doctor will be able to offer treatment to ease your suffering via:
- Medication, such as corticosteroids (steroid treatment), to reduce inflammation. This type of treatment is not seen as a permanent solution and is repeated if the symptoms return
- Wrist splints to place the wrist in a neutral position, allowing you to rest it
If non-surgical options fail to relieve symptoms, your doctor may suggest carpal tunnel release surgery and will discuss the implications with you.
For most people, surgical or non-surgical treatment will permanently cure CTS. However, in some cases, treatment for CTS does not work, leaving the sufferer with permanent symptoms. Dependant on your prognosis, your doctor may recommend you no longer perform the activity that led to you developing the condition.
To find out more about treatment for CTS, visit the NHS website.
Talk to Us
To find out more about making a carpal tunnel syndrome claim, or to speak to a friendly, approachable solicitor about the compensation process, call 0345 872 6666 or complete our online contact form and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
