It is common to see someone wearing a brace on his or her hand or wrist and immediately assume that person suffers from carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). While everyone has heard of carpal tunnel syndrome, many people do not understand what exactly the condition is and that it is often a work-related injury that may make an employee eligible to receive workers’ compensation benefits.
The carpal tunnel is an actual tunnel the protects a bundle of nerves running through the wrist and into the hand. These nerves control the movement and use of the hand. When a person is required to perform repetitive tasks that involve bending the wrists in unnatural positions, the carpal tunnel can become pinched, and this can result in the condition known as carpal tunnel syndrome. Continue reading