{"id":5059,"date":"2020-10-30T08:52:30","date_gmt":"2020-10-30T12:52:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/joemillerinjurylaw.com\/?p=5059"},"modified":"2020-10-30T08:52:35","modified_gmt":"2020-10-30T12:52:35","slug":"carpal-tunnel-syndrome-and-workers-compensation-part-two","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/joemillerinjurylaw.com\/carpal-tunnel-syndrome-and-workers-compensation-part-two\/","title":{"rendered":"Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Workers Compensation \u2013 Part Two"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Carpal tunnel syndrome is painful and is likely to cause workers to lose time from their job. If your median nerve isn\u2019t working you\u2019ll have a lot of complications such as:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Not being able to use your thumb effectively<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Not having the right feeling in your fingers<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Not being able to hold objects well<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Not being able to distinguish between hot and cold \u2013 on touch<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b><i>How does your doctor diagnose carpal tunnel syndrome?\u00a0<\/i><\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mayoclinic.org\/diseases-conditions\/carpal-tunnel-syndrome\/diagnosis-treatment\/drc-20355608\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mayo Clinic<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, your physician will conduct a series of tests and questions to determine if you have carpal tunnel syndrome. These tests and questions include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Asking you about your symptoms.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The doctor will take an oral history of the problems you\u2019re having such as asking when the pain occurs and under what conditions it occurs.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Physically examining you.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0 The doctor will examine how well you feel with your fingers and how strong your hand muscles are. He\/she will bend the wrist, touch on the median nerve, and\/or press on the nerve to see if these efforts trigger pain.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Taking X-rays.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Generally, X-Rays can\u2019t diagnose carpal tunnel syndrome. X-rays can rule out other problems such as fractures.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Giving you an electromyography.<\/b> <b>\u201c<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This test measures the tiny electrical discharges produced in muscles. During this test, your doctor inserts a thin-needle electrode into specific muscles to evaluate the electrical activity when muscles contract and rest. This test can identify damage to the muscles controlled by the median nerve, and also may rule out other conditions.\u201d<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Taking a nerve conduction study. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here, two<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">electrodes are taped to your skin. Then a small shock is directed through the median nerve \u2013 \u201cto see if electrical impulses are slowed in the carpal tunnel.\u201d The test can help diagnose carpal tunnel syndrome and also helps rule out other medical conditions.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Giving you a Tinel test<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. This test is a physical test to see if you develop a tingling sensation or if you are numb in certain areas of the wrist and hand.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Imaging tests may also eliminate other problems such as diabetes.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b><i>What are the initial treatments for carpal tunnel syndrome?<\/i><\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s best to start treatments of carpal tunnel syndrome as quickly as possible. Early self-help treatments include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Taking more frequent rest breaks<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Avoiding any actions that make your symptoms worse<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Using cold packs to help reduce any swelling<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In milder cases, where your condition is less than 10 months old, splinting may help. If, however, your hands feel numb, you should treat with a doctor as soon as possible. As a general rule, you should see a doctor, even if you have a mild case, so he\/she can diagnose the condition and recommend initial therapy.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Splinting the wrist helps keep the wrist still while you sleep. Patients use the wrist splint at night though it can help with daytime aches and pains.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some stretching exercises may help. Some patients seek chiropractic care and\/or acupuncture<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b><i>What nonsurgical treatments may help?<\/i><\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some nonsurgical therapy treatments include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0These medications may help reduce carpal tunnel syndrome pain. NSAIDs include Advil, Motrin IB, and other medications. Generally, NSAIDs don\u2019t improve your disorder. The aim of these drugs is to hopefully reduce the level of pain.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Corticosteroids. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These are injections designed to help reduce pain. <\/span><b>\u201c<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sometimes your doctor uses an ultrasound to guide these injections.\u201d \u201cCorticosteroids decrease inflammation and swelling, which relieves pressure on the median nerve. Oral corticosteroids aren&#8217;t considered as effective as corticosteroid injections for treating carpal tunnel syndrome.\u201d<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b><i>What types of surgery are used for treating carpal tunnel syndrome?<\/i><\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Mayo Clinic indicates that there are two types of carpal tunnel syndrome surgery:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Endoscopic surgery.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0\u201cYour surgeon uses a telescope-like device with a tiny camera attached to it (endoscope) to see inside your carpal tunnel. Your surgeon cuts the ligament through one or two small incisions in your hand or wrist. Some surgeons may use ultrasound instead of a telescope to guide the tool that cuts the ligament.\u201d This type of surgery, during the first few recovery weeks, may be less painful than open surgery.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Open surgery.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0\u201cYour surgeon makes an incision in the palm of your hand over the carpal tunnel and cuts through the ligament to free the nerve.\u201d<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are risks to surgery that your surgeon should explain to you before any operation. These risks include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cIncomplete release of the ligament<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wound infections<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Scar formation<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Injuries to the nerves or blood vessels\u201d<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The healing process, after surgery usually takes a few months. During this time, \u201cthe ligament tissues gradually grow back together while allowing more room for the nerve.\u201d Employees, who are entitled <a href=\"https:\/\/joemillerinjurylaw.com\/practice-areas\/workers-compensation\/\">workers\u2019 compensation<\/a>, should receive temporary disability during the healing process. The employer\u2019s insurance carrier should pay for the surgery.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In some cases, your symptoms may not completely disappear after surgery.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b><i>Are you entitled to workers\u2019 compensation if you have carpal tunnel syndrome?<\/i><\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Often, employees can show that they developed carpal tunnel syndrome due to their work. Still, that doesn\u2019t mean you\u2019re automatically qualified for workers\u2019 compensation in either North Carolina or Virginia. Generally, injuries must either be due to a workplace accident or an <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/joemillerinjurylaw.com\/virginia-workers-compensation-for-occupational-diseases-2\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">occupational illness or disease.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In Virginia, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is specifically not recognized as a statutory occupational disease the same way as something like asbestosis; however, it is probably the most commonly claimed \u201c<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/65.2-401\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ordinary disease of life<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201d that injured workers claim is due to have occurred due to exposure to specific work conditions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is definitely not a given that a claim for carpal tunnel will be found compensable. In Virginia, any \u201c<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/65.2-401\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ordinary disease of life<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201d much meet the higher standard of \u201cclear and convincing\u201d evidence. This means that there must be very clear proof that the unique work conditions are such that they have caused the CTS, and also that the CTS is not due to factors outside of work. It must be \u201ccharacteristic of the employment and was caused by conditions peculiar to such employment.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Employers will typically argue that your carpal tunnel syndrome is due to other conditions \u2013 such as a second job or activities you do at home. They\u2019ll also argue that you had a pre-existing carpal tunnel condition caused by other activities or conditions that pre-dated your work history with the employer.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">North Carolina is similar in its proof requirements. CTS would fall under the \u201ccatch all\u201d occupational disease claim found at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ic.nc.gov\/ncic\/pages\/statute\/97-53.htm\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">N.C.G.S. 97-53(13)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0 which does generally allow a carpal tunnel syndrome claim to be filed if it is due to a repetitive stress injury \u2013 if it can be shown that the CTS is proven \u201cto be due to causes and conditions which are characteristic of and peculiar to a particular trade, occupation or employment, but excluding all ordinary diseases of life to which the general public is equally exposed outside of the employment.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you are able to prove your claim, while you\u2019re out of work due to the CTS, you should be entitled to temporary disability benefits at 2\/3rds of your average weekly wage and of course coverage for any and all treatment related to your CTS. If your hand doesn\u2019t completely recover, and you end up with some kind of permanent impairment, you may be entitled to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=buKVZQ1Aajg&amp;feature=emb_logo\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">permanent partial disability (PPD) benefits.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">North Carolina and Virginia workers\u2019 compensation lawyer Joe Miller Esq has helped thousands of injured workers obtain just recoveries. He understands the unique coverage and treatment issues involved with carpal tunnel syndrome claims. To talk with a seasoned work injury lawyer, call North Carolina and Virginia attorney Joe Miller, Esq., at <\/span><b>888-667-8295<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. or use my online <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/joemillerinjurylaw.com\/contact-us\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">contact form<\/span><\/a> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">or our new <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/joemillerinjurylaw.com\/free-workers-comp-case-eval\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">online case evaluation form<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to find out if you may have a claim.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Carpal tunnel syndrome is painful and is likely to cause workers to lose time from their job. If your median nerve isn\u2019t working you\u2019ll have a lot of complications such as: Not being able to use your thumb effectively Not having the right feeling in your fingers Not being able to hold objects well Not &#8230; <\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more-container\"><a title=\"Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Workers Compensation \u2013 Part Two\" class=\"read-more button\" href=\"https:\/\/joemillerinjurylaw.com\/carpal-tunnel-syndrome-and-workers-compensation-part-two\/#more-5059\" aria-label=\"Read more about Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Workers Compensation \u2013 Part Two\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[13,96,95,10,97,31],"tags":[],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":false,"thumbnail":false,"medium":false,"medium_large":false,"large":false,"1536x1536":false,"2048x2048":false},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"Joe Miller","author_link":"https:\/\/joemillerinjurylaw.com\/author\/jmiller\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"Carpal tunnel syndrome is painful and is likely to cause workers to lose time from their job. If your median nerve isn\u2019t working you\u2019ll have a lot of complications such as: Not being able to use your thumb effectively Not having the right feeling in your fingers Not being able to hold objects well Not&hellip;","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/joemillerinjurylaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5059"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/joemillerinjurylaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/joemillerinjurylaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/joemillerinjurylaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/joemillerinjurylaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5059"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/joemillerinjurylaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5059\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/joemillerinjurylaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5059"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/joemillerinjurylaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5059"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/joemillerinjurylaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5059"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}