Case Report Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Operator Production Footwear
Abstract
Abstract: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a neuropathy disorder commonly observed in workers who engage in repetitive and high-intensity hand or wrist movements, such as cutting, sewing, gluing, or pressing. Prolonged exposure to these activities can increase pressure on the median nerve, leading to symptoms of pain, tingling, numbness, and hand weakness.
Case Report: A 31-year-old woman worked as a production operator in the stock fitting department of a footwear factory for 11 years, presented with tingling, numbness, and weakness extending from the wrist area to the fingers of both hands, especially affecting the thumb, index finger, and middle finger. These symptoms had progressively worsened over the past three months. Her job involved a rotational workflow requiring repetitive hand movements combined with physical exertion. Due to increasing discomfort and functional impairment, she had been unable to work for the past two weeks. Although right-handed, she frequently used her left hand for work-related tasks.
Discussion: Occupational CTS in footwear factory workers is commonly associated with prolonged repetitive hand and wrist movements. Clinical examination revealed tingling, numbness, and weakness in the affected areas, particularly in the first three digits. Tinel’s and Phalen’s tests were positive, supporting the diagnosis of CTS. Occupational CTS was establish using the seven-steps occupational diagnosis method outlined by the Indonesian Association of Occupational Medicine Specialists (PERDOKI). This approach considers clinical assessment, occupational exposure history, work-related and non-work-related risk factors.
Conclusion: Occupational CTS can be effectively diagnosed using a structured occupational diagnostic approach. Preventive measures, including administrative controls such as task rotation, ergonomic workplace adjustments, and worker education on proper hand positioning, are essential to mitigate the risk of occupational CTS among workers engaged in repetitive manual tasks.
Keywords: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS), Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI), Median Nerve Compression, Ergonomic Interventions, Occupational diagnosis,
Keywords
Full Text:
PDFReferences
Sevy JO, Sina RE, Varacallo MA. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome [Internet]. 2023. 1–11 p. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK448179/?report=printable
Joshi A, Patel K, Mohamed A, Oak S, Zhang MH, Hsiung H. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome : Pathophysiology and Comprehensive Guidelines for Clinical Evaluation and Treatment. 2022;14(7).
Atroshi I, Gummesson C, Ragnar Johnsson, Ornstein E, Ranstam J, Rosen I. Prevalence of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. JAMA. 1999;281(2):153–8.
Savitri KA. Sriwijaya Journal of Neurology Analysis of Risk Factors for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome ( CTS ). 2023;127–30.
Fitch MS, Thiese MS, Wood EM, Kapellusch JM, Hegmann KT. The Coexistence of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in Workers With Trigger Digit. HAND. 2021;16(6):753–8.
Hulkkonen S, Shiri R, Auvinen J, Miettunen J, Karppinen J, Ryhänen J. Risk factors of hospitalization for carpal tunnel syndrome among the general working population. Scand J Work Env Heal. 2020;46(1):43–9.
Newington L, Harris EC, Walker-Bone K. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Work. Best Pr Res Clin Rheumatol. 2016;29(3):440–53.
Hagberg M, Morgenstern H, Kelsh M. Impact of occupations and job tasks on the prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome. Scand J Work Env Heal. 1992;18(6):337–45.
Setyawan H. Risk Factors of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in Food-Packing Workers Risk Factors of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome among Food- Packing Workers in Karanganyar. Kesmas Natl Public Heal J. 2017;11(3):123–6.
Tana L, Halim FS, Delima, Ryadina W. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Pada Pekerja Garment di Jakarta. Bul Penelit Kesehat. 2004;73–82.
Karla W. Sickness absence from work in the footwear industry : A longitudinal study. 2022;72:431–51.
Hoffmann T, Karin A, Kyndi M. Work Participation in Patients With Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Referred to Departments of Occupational Medicine — A Danish Register ‐ Based Cohort Study. 2025;321–30.
Zhang D, Chruscielski CM, Blazar P, Earp BE. Journal of Hand Surgery Global Online Accuracy of Provocative Tests for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. J Hand Surg Glob Online [Internet]. 2020;2(3):121–5. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhsg.2020.03.002
Wibowo DR, Puspitasari A, Sampekalo P. Pedoman Klasifikasi Diagnosis Penyakit Akibat Kerja. 1st ed. PERDOKI; 2021.
Chazelle É, Fouquet N, Roquelaure Y. Attributable risk of carpal tunnel syndromes to the employment among high-risk occupations and industry sectors in two French departments. Bull Épidémiologique Hebd [Internet]. 2021;(11):185–205. Available from: https://www.cabidigitallibrary.org/doi/full/10.5555/20210346429
Roquelaure Y, Mariel J, Dano C, Fanello S, Penneau-Fontbonne D. Prevalence, incidence and risk factors of carpal tunnel syndrome in a large footwear factory. Int J Occup Med Environ Health [Internet]. 2001;14(4). Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/11477124
dos Santos IN, de Oliveira AS, Viscardi LGA, Suassuna JAS, da Cruz Santos A, do Socorro Brasileiro-Santos M. Occupational risks and musculoskeletal complaints among industrial workers: a cross-sectional study. Rev Bras Med do Trab [Internet]. 2023;21(2). Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10835384/pdf/rbmt-21-02-e2022878.pdf
Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia. Regulation of the Minister of Health of the Republic of Indonesia Number 11 of 2022 concerning Occupational Disease Health Services.
Lincoln AE, Vernick JS, Ogaitis S, Smith GS, Mitchell CS, Agnew J. Interventions for the primary prevention of work-related carpal tunnel syndrome. Am J Prev Med [Internet]. 2000;18(4):37–50. Available from: https://www.ajpmonline.org/action/showPdf?pii=S0749-3797%2800%2900140-9
Mattioli S, Baldasseroni A, Curti S, Cooke RMT, Mandes A, Zanardi F, et al. Incidence rates of surgically treated idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome in blue- and white-collar workers and housewives in Tuscany, Italy. Occup Environ Med [Internet]. 2009;66(5):299–304. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2664992/pdf/BWC-66-05-0299.pdf
Refbacks
- There are currently no refbacks.
Copyright (c) 2025 siti darifah
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Public Health
View My Stats