Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Damaging U.S. Economy
Repetitive strain injuries (RSI's) like carpal tunnel syndrome
(CTS) are costing consumers, private business and insurance
companies more than $100 billion in lost revenue each year.
According to The Agency for Health Care Policy and Research,
"Musculoskeletal disorders are the country's most costly
category of workplace injuries and illnesses. In addition to
spending $20 billion annually on workers' compensation costs due
to RSIs (Like Carpal tunnel syndrome), the U.S. spends another
$100 billion on lost productivity, employee turnover, and other
indirect expenses.
The goal of every private business and insurance company should
be to cut costs, and this goal can only be met when carpal
tunnel syndrome and other "tunnel syndrome" disorders are
addressed in a scope of "prevention" rather than after the fact
and have to address the injury through "rehabilitation" methods.
Rehabilitation costs to businesses and insurance companies are
much greater than costs associated with prevention, and has an
even higher toll on the individual afflicted with the disorder
(carpal tunnel) in terms of both psychological and physical
damages.
The key to cutting costs associated with CTS and RSI's is
"prevention", which can be achieved through a variety of
methods. By implementing the methods listed below, overall costs
can be reduced dramatically and optimum health and productivity
of the individual can be maintained.