[Health Column] Worsening Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Trigger Finger Due to Repetitive Tasks

[Asia Economy] It is true that access to medical care has improved compared to the past due to the health insurance system. However, there are still people who find it difficult to visit hospitals and receive continuous treatment. This is often because they have difficulty taking time off from their livelihood activities to get treatment.

Of course, if the pain is severe or the illness is life-threatening, people would not hesitate to seek hospital treatment despite their work. But in cases of pain that temporarily improves with treatment, many patients endure the pain. They consider the pain bearable enough to postpone visiting the hospital. The pain occurs in the area due to work, but since they cannot stop working, the condition repeatedly improves and worsens.

Typical conditions seen in pain medicine related to the above are carpal tunnel syndrome and trigger finger. Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the wrist is excessively used repetitively, such as during dishwashing, trimming vegetables, or painting. Initially, the fingertips become numb, but as it progresses, the palm becomes numb and painful, causing frequent hand shaking or rubbing upon waking. If it worsens, the palm becomes thin, making basic daily actions like using chopsticks or buttoning difficult.

Trigger finger occurs when a specific area of the palm is repeatedly stimulated by a hard object. It is commonly seen in people who repeatedly perform tasks like cutting with scissors, hoeing, or dishwashing with bare hands. When the pain in the palm joint worsens, there is a catching sensation when bending and straightening the finger. This usually happens in the morning and eases by the afternoon, so it is often overlooked, but if left untreated, the finger may become unable to bend or straighten.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is treated by relieving pressure on the nerve at the wrist, and trigger finger is treated by reducing swelling in the specific area of the palm, which temporarily alleviates symptoms. However, if the person continues to use their hands in the pattern that causes the disease due to their occupation, the pain will recur soon. If the pain repeats and continuous, appropriate treatment is not possible, the condition worsens and surgery becomes inevitable. Even after surgery, recovery may not be complete.

In cases of carpal tunnel syndrome or trigger finger, prevention is more important than treatment. Patients are advised to 'reduce wrist use,' 'be careful with hard objects,' and 'use cushions,' among other precautions, but these are not practical advice. This is because the pain is caused by activities necessary for their livelihood. Patients who develop work-related illnesses and worsen them through work often cannot receive sufficient treatment even when they revisit. They say things like, 'Just give me an injection,' 'I can't take a few days off for surgery,' or 'Maybe next time, I'm busy with work now.' It is difficult to persuade them because the reason continuous and timely treatment is hard is due to their livelihood.

If the cause of the disease is known and prevention methods are clear, the disease should be stoppable. However, in these cases, progression cannot be halted. Each person has their own reasons why they must continue the work and circumstances that prevent rest. Modern people who suffer from work-related illnesses inevitably worsen them despite knowing this, saying, 'If not me, who will raise the cattle?' This is a heartbreaking point both as a pain medicine doctor and as a member of society.

Park Yongseok, Director of Haengbok Anesthesia and Pain Medicine Clinic

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.