Physical ergonomic risk factors of carpal tunnel syndrome among rubber tappers

Abstract

This study evaluated physical ergonomic risk factors associated with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) among rubber tappers in Thailand. The Boston Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Questionnaire and Phalen’s test and Tinel’s sign were used to identify 133 cases with CTS and 401 non-CTS controls. Video recordings and Rapid Upper Limb Assessment used to evaluate the level of ergonomic risk in right and left hand postures. Significant physical ergonomic risk factors of CTS were higher number of trees tapped at or below knee level and collecting latex. Among right-handed tappers, tapping at higher than chest level involved significantly higher proportion of right wrist flexion and/or extension, and left wrist radial and/or ulnar deviation and twist than tapping at a lower level.

Keywords:

• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• ergonomic risk of carpal tunnel syndrome
• rubber tapper