Left-sided carpal tunnel syndrome in butchers.

Abstract

Butchers from 2 slaughterhouses were studied for carpal tunnel syndrome. The diagnosis was based on subjective symptoms and electroneurography. In about half of the otherwise healthy butchers there were various degrees of the syndrome in the nondominant hand, or, if the syndrome was bilateral, the nondominant side was more affected. Two subjects were operated on. The operated findings and results were consistent with carpal tunnel syndrome. The underlying cause for this occupational disorder was probably mechanical stress on the left hand. Various tools were held in the right hand, while the carcass was lifted, torn and handled with the left hand. The butchers considered the load on the left hand more strenous. The porlonged heavy grasping with the fingers of the left hand probably led to thickening of the synovial membrane of the finger flexors within the carpal tunnel. The carpal tunnel is a relatively rigid structure, and an increased diameter of the flexor tendons may have caused the carpal tunnel syndrome. This small cluster sample of butchers was not adequate for epidemiologic conclusions. Carpal tunnel syndrome seems to be an important occupational disorder among butchers.