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Occupational Health & Safety (Expert Forum)
Muscle fatigue, numbness of hands and arms
Answered by
Philip Parks, MD - Occupational Safety, Occupational Health, Travel Medicine, Environmental Health
Harvard School of Public Health
Boston - MA
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Muscle fatigue, numbness of hands and arms
by DeVallance, Mar 23, 2008 03:16PM
Hi, I really don't know who to turn to so I am hoping to get some directions from here.
I work at a bank and my job consists mostly of fast and repetetive typing. I have been on the job for only a year. My pain started around 4 months after I started the job and has been spreading really fast -numbness, pins and needles, my muscles are so weak I cannot open a jar or carry almost anything at all. First it was only my right hand - pain in the wrist and fingers, mostly after work. Now it's constant - both arms and hands, from the tip of my fingers all the way up to the shoulder. The pain in my right hand is mostly contained in the palm and fingers(ring, middle and index, to be exact). My left hand has the same symptoms but for the past three months the pain has been spreading and now goes all the way up to my shoulder and neck. From a month ago I have this constant numb pain going down to my upper chest area, also. It hurts so much that I wake up multiple times during the night and have to adjust my arms because of pain or pins and needles. I have noticed that I have changed my usual body position during sleep.
I am at a total loss - I am not from the US and I don't have any idea what kind of doctor should I go and see first or what to do in general. I will really appreciate any advice that you can give me! Thank you for your time!
I work at a bank and my job consists mostly of fast and repetetive typing. I have been on the job for only a year. My pain started around 4 months after I started the job and has been spreading really fast -numbness, pins and needles, my muscles are so weak I cannot open a jar or carry almost anything at all. First it was only my right hand - pain in the wrist and fingers, mostly after work. Now it's constant - both arms and hands, from the tip of my fingers all the way up to the shoulder. The pain in my right hand is mostly contained in the palm and fingers(ring, middle and index, to be exact). My left hand has the same symptoms but for the past three months the pain has been spreading and now goes all the way up to my shoulder and neck. From a month ago I have this constant numb pain going down to my upper chest area, also. It hurts so much that I wake up multiple times during the night and have to adjust my arms because of pain or pins and needles. I have noticed that I have changed my usual body position during sleep.
I am at a total loss - I am not from the US and I don't have any idea what kind of doctor should I go and see first or what to do in general. I will really appreciate any advice that you can give me! Thank you for your time!
Doctor's Answer
by Philip Parks, MD, Mar 25, 2008 11:30PM
, Mar 25, 2008 11:30PM
To: DeVallance
Hello:
You should begin with finding a primary care provider (general practitioner - Family Medicine or Internal Medicine). That person may refer you to a specialist (orthopedic physician).
Before I provide specific information to address your questions, I have a few questions for you. How young (or old) are you? Do you have any medical problems (high blood pressure, diabetes, tobacco use, thyroid disease, exposures to chemicals or solvents, exposure to lead, etc). Have you performed remodeling of a home in the last year? Do you have any hobbies?
Your symptoms may be consistent with carpal tunnel syndrome or possibly repetitive strain injury. Carpal tunnel syndrome is characterized by numbness and tingling in the hands (and pain may also be present) that is often worse at night and after prolonged use of the hands.
It is also common for carpal tunnel syndrome to result in a person changing posture and trying to compensate with excessive use of neck and shoulder muscles--causing pain and discomfort in the neck and shoulders.
Carpal tunnel is one possible explanation of your symptoms.
I hope this is helpful to you.
~•~ Dr. Parks
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice. The information presented in this posting is for patients’ education only. As always, I encourage you to see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
You should begin with finding a primary care provider (general practitioner - Family Medicine or Internal Medicine). That person may refer you to a specialist (orthopedic physician).
Before I provide specific information to address your questions, I have a few questions for you. How young (or old) are you? Do you have any medical problems (high blood pressure, diabetes, tobacco use, thyroid disease, exposures to chemicals or solvents, exposure to lead, etc). Have you performed remodeling of a home in the last year? Do you have any hobbies?
Your symptoms may be consistent with carpal tunnel syndrome or possibly repetitive strain injury. Carpal tunnel syndrome is characterized by numbness and tingling in the hands (and pain may also be present) that is often worse at night and after prolonged use of the hands.
It is also common for carpal tunnel syndrome to result in a person changing posture and trying to compensate with excessive use of neck and shoulder muscles--causing pain and discomfort in the neck and shoulders.
Carpal tunnel is one possible explanation of your symptoms.
I hope this is helpful to you.
~•~ Dr. Parks
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice. The information presented in this posting is for patients’ education only. As always, I encourage you to see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
I am 23 years old, never had any medical issues at all, or at least I have never known about it. I live in Pittsburgh where it's a known fact that all buildings have lead paint, asbestos, etc. because of how old they are. Other than that - no known exposure to chemicals or solvents. Hobbies - used to be computers, now I am limiting the use because of the pain; walking a lot, travelling, cooking..
Carpal tunnel syndrome is not uncommon in the neighboring departments at work - noone in my department has ever had it, so I just assumed that as me being the youngest there and one of the new employees, I couldn't have developed it so fast.
I definately will try to see a General Practitioner as soon as possible. I cannot thank you enough for your answer!
One additional thought is that you might consider asking your supervisor about having an ergonomic evaluation of your work station.
Some helpful links:
1. http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/computerworkstations/index.html
2. http://ergo.human.cornell.edu/ergoguide.html
3. http://video.about.com/ergonomics/Ergonomics-at-Work.htm
4. http://www.ergoindemand.com/ergonomic-computer-workstation-guidelines.htm
5. http://www.ehealthmd.com/library/carpaltunnel/CT_treatment.html
6. http://arthritis.about.com/od/carpal/Carpal_Tunnel_Syndrome_
Causes_Diagnosis_Symptoms_Treatment.htm
~•~ Dr. Parks
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice. The information presented in this posting is for patients’ education only. As always, I encourage you to see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.