1. Home
  2. Health
  3. Arthritis

Can Computer Use or Other Repetitive Movements Cause Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

From National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, for About.com

Updated January 30, 2005

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board

Question: Can Computer Use or Other Repetitive Movements Cause Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Answer: A Mayo Clinic study found that heavy computer use (up to 7 hours a day) did not increase a person's risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome.

There is little clinical data to prove whether repetitive and forceful movements of the hand and wrist during work or leisure activities can cause carpal tunnel syndrome.

Repeated motions performed in the course of normal work or other daily activities can result in repetitive motion disorders such as bursitis and tendonitis.

Writer's cramp - a condition in which a lack of fine motor skill coordination and ache and pressure in the fingers, wrist, or forearm is brought on by repetitive activity - is not a symptom of carpal tunnel syndrome.


Take the: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Screening Quiz
See our Article: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Q and A
See our Article: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Step by Step
Reference: NIH Publication No. 03-4898
Explore Arthritis
About.com Special Features

Learn how you can reduce your your numbers with these nutrition and exercise tips. More >

Keep yourself, and your family, happy and healthy this fall with these tips. More >

We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here.
  1. Home
  2. Health
  3. Arthritis
  4. Arthritis Basics / Q&A
  5. Computers and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome - Can Computer Use or Other Repetitive Movements Cause Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?>

©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.