[Occupational carpal tunnel syndrome: 27 cases].
BACKGROUND
Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most frequent of tunnel syndromes in the field of the professional sphere. It is related to repetitive movements of flexion-extension of the wrist and fingers or to a support on the heel of the hands.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the posts in a risk and to specify the modalities of guaranteed reimbursement of professional carpal tunnel syndrome.


METHODS
A retrospective and descriptive study of 27 medical files of employees indemnified for professional carpal tunnel syndrome registered in the medical control services of the social security office in charge of medical insurance of Tunis and Sousse during a period of 10 years (1995-2004).


RESULTS
There were 24 women and 3 men with the average age of 40 years all occupying posts in a risk. Their average time of service is 15 years. Tow-thirds of them work in the clothing and textile industry. The attack is bilateral in 13 cases. Nightly acroparaesthesia rules the clinical rate (44.44% of cases). Motor disorders are noted in the quarter of cases. The electromyogram had confirmed diagnosis in all of cases. The previous state study put in evidence the antecedent of carpal tunnel syndrome in 5 cases and diabetes in one case. Twenty-one patients had profit of permanent partial incapacity with a rate varying from 3 to 25%. Five had got a transfer of working place and one stayed in the same post with a half-time work.


CONCLUSIONS
The professional origin of carpal tunnel syndrome must be called up in front of an activity in a risk. The reparation is done according to picture 82 of occupational diseases.
Slimane
Neila Ben
NB
Policlinique de la CNSS El Khadra, Tunis.
Elleuch
Mohamed
M
Gharbi
Ezzedine
E
Babay
Habib
H
Hamdoun
Moncef
M
D000328:Adult; D002349:Carpal Tunnel Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D009790:Occupations; D012189:Retrospective Studies