White-Collar Work as a CTS Development Factor

November 10, 2025

Before the upsurge in technology use, CTS was mostly seen in physical laborers in manufacturing, construction and other jobs that require repetitive motion. It was once known as milkmaid disease, because it often developed in women who milked cows by hand. Today, it is most prevalent in people who use computers on a regular daily basis. Learning about CTS will help you recognize its symptoms and take measures to avoid it. 

History

Descriptions of CTS symptoms have been recorded for decades, mostly in the 20th Century. In the period following World War II, an unprecedented level of industrialization delegated many activities to machines and increased the number and diversity of office jobs. Working at a typewriter or computer shifted the workload to wrists. The syndrome acquired its official name in 1938. 

CTS Triggers 

The following factors contribute to CTS development:

• Swelling or trauma of any kind (for example, fracture) that compresses the median neural pathway.
• Nerve pressure from edema in pregnant women or women taking contraceptives.
• Joint diseases like arthritis and gout, and chronic metabolic inflammation. 
• Genetic anatomical predisposition like a square wrist and thick transverse ligament.
• Overweight, obesity and short stature.
• Sedentary lifestyle.

Discomfort is caused by direct pressure on the neural pathway. Chronic inflammation can arise due to repetitive stress, increasing pressure on the nerve. Exposure to cold may also play a role, since more CTS is reported in winter.

According to statistics, CTS is 3 to 10 times more common in females than in males. People aged 40-60 are at the highest risk, with only 10% of CTS patients being younger than 31. Adults have about a 10% risk of developing CTS in their lifetime. 

Symptoms

CTS is marked by numbness, tingling, burning sensations, and pain along the median neural pathway. These symptoms are sometimes accompanied by increased sensitivity and muscle weakness in the hand. 

The main symptoms include:

• Improper hand function. Patients may drop things or lose their grip strength during everyday activities.
• Pain in the wrist, palm and fingers may occur. Unpleasant sensations may reach the elbow joint, shoulder or neck. 
• Both hands may be affected, although the dominant hand will likely feel symptoms sooner and more acutely. 
• Blood vessels may become constricted, reducing blood flow to the affected tissues. 
• Symptoms may worsen at night, interrupting sleep and resulting in morning stiffness. 
• CTS patients often report a decrease in muscle strength in their hands, particularly with grips involving the thumb.

Slight discomfort that disappears after a few days does not require medical attention. But if pain persists for two weeks or longer, it is recommended to seek medical advice.

Diagnosis

CTS can be diagnosed with a clinical exam and imaging. The practitioner mayl:

• Assess your hand visually and manually
• Perform nerve conduction studies to assess nerve function
• Conduct ultrasound imaging to visualize tissues and bones in motion
• Use an X-ray to rule out fractures, arthritis or ligament injuries 
• Perform electromyography, computed tomography or other lab tests

Treatment of CTS

You should start the treatment process as early as possible to keep it from getting worse. Since CTS may be a secondary problem, the root causes should be addressed first. While many opt for surgery and medication to treat CTS, it can be successfully managed and treated with conservative care. 

Therapies like acupuncture, manual therapy, chiropractic and yoga can reduce pain and improve grip strength. Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT), ultrasound-guided nerve hydro-dissection, and ultrasound-guided dry needling are effective treatments for CTS. 

Special exercises may help restore wrist function for  CTS patients whose pain and discomfort have already diminished. Changing your daily activities, reducing inflammation through exercise and a healthy diet, and having your workstation adjusted by an ergonomics specialist will help. A physical therapist can create an exercise program for you to effectively rehabilitate your wrist and restore its function.

Positive Habits for CTS Prevention

The following key tips can help you avoid CTS or mitigate its symptoms:

1. Correct hand position: Try to keep your wrists and hands aligned with your elbow, and avoid hyperextending the wrists. 
2. Use correct workplace ergonomics and posture while sitting at your computer. Keep your hips at a right angle, and place printed text at eye level to prevent neck pain. Sit in a relaxed position, leaning on the chair back with feet firmly planted on the floor or a footrest.
3. Take periodic  breaks every 30-60 minutes.
4. Do hand exercises to restore mobility to your hands, and perform self-massage.
5. Use a height-adjustable office chair with a comfortable back and armrests. Use of a mouse increases the risk of CTS, and some experts recommend a trackball as a healthier alternative. 

Use of technology is not likely to decrease in the near future, so you should do everything you can to create a safe and efficient workspace, and protect your wrists and hands from CTS. If you have symptoms, see a physical therapist for diagnosis and treatment.