Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 29, 2026
Metacarpal Small Incision for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Published on: April 5, 2024
Prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome among employees at a poultry processing plant
Kristin Musolin1, Jessica G Ramsey1, James T Wassell2
1National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Health Hazard Evaluation Technical Assistance Branch, 4676 Columbia Parkway, MS R10 Cincinnati, OH 45226, USA.
Objective:
To determine prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) among poultry processing employees while taking into account non-occupational factors and assess any association between CTS prevalence and exposure groups.
Methods:
Performed a cross-sectional survey to assess CTS (n = 318). A CTS case was defined as an employee with self-reported CTS symptoms, an abnormal hand symptom diagram, and an abnormal nerve conduction study (NCS). Log-binomial regression was used to estimate prevalence ratios.
Results:
Three hundred and one participants had sufficient symptom information or NCS data to be classified. 126 (42%) of 301 participants had evidence of CTS. In the adjusted analysis, the highest exposure group had CTS prevalence that was significantly higher than that for the lower exposure group [PR: 1.61; 95% CI = (1.20, 2.17)].
Conclusions:
Increasing levels of hand activity and force were associated with increased CTS prevalence among participants. Recommendations were provided to reduce exposure to these risk factors.
