Carpal Tunnel

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition that causes pain and numbness in the arm due to compression of the median nerve. Repetitive use of the arm and hand usually increases the pain. Any condition that affects the use of the arms is going to substantially limit the number of jobs that are available to you. I cannot think of a job where do not need to use your arms and hands.

However, carpal tunnel syndrome is a highly treatable condition. People can use braces on their arms and hands, and surgery for this condition usually works well. This condition will be considered as contributing to your disability only to the extent that you have sought and obtained treatment for it. In other words, if you are not really using your hand braces and you have turned down surgery, then do not expect this condition to be counted as part of what is disabling you.

It is most helpful if you are able to get a nerve conduction study to prove you have this condition and the degree of severity. This is an expensive and somewhat painful procedure, but it can be very important in providing objective evidence that you have this pain.

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