NIOSHTIC-2 Publications Search

Effect of wrist posture on carpal tunnel pressure while typing.

Rempel DM; Keir PJ; Bach JM

J Orthop Res 2008 Sep; 26(9):1269-1273

https://doi.org/10.1002/jor.20599

20034310

Long weekly hours of keyboard use may lead to or aggravate carpal tunnel syndrome. The effects of typing on fluid pressure in the carpal tunnel, a possible mediator of carpal tunnel syndrome, are unknown. Twenty healthy subjects participated in a laboratory study to investigate the effects of typing at different wrist postures on carpal tunnel pressure of the right hand. Changes in wrist flexion/extension angle (p = 0.01) and radial/ulnar deviation angle (p = 0.03) independently altered carpal tunnel pressure; wrist deviations in extension or radial deviation were associated with an increase in pressure. The activity of typing independently elevated carpal tunnel pressure (p = 0.001) relative to the static hand held in the same posture. This information can guide the design and use of keyboards and workstations in order to minimize carpal tunnel pressure while typing. The findings may also be useful to clinicians and ergonomists in the management of patients with carpal tunnel syndrome who use a keyboard.

Ergonomics; Musculoskeletal-system-disorders; Repetitive-work; Cumulative-trauma; Cumulative-trauma-disorders; Muscles; Biomechanics; Carpal-tunnel-syndrome; Statistical-analysis; Computer-equipment; Office-equipment

David Rempel, Ergonomics Program, Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, 1301 South 46th Street, Building 163, Richmond, CA 94804

JOREDR

20080901

Journal Article

david.rempel@ucsf.edu

162000

Grant

2008

Grant-Number-K01-OH-00121

9

0736-0266

Musculoskeletal-system-disorders

Journal of Orthopaedic Research

CA

University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California