Employee statement
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I suffer from bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, but the symptoms are more pronounced in my right wrist.

I started my career with the Postal Service in February 1983. I began as a CFS (Computer Forwarding System) clerk. I spent approx. 10 hours a day using my hands/fingers to key in numbers corresponding with the address on the mail. The keyboard resembled a standard computer keyboard with letters and numbers. In 1986, I developed tendonitis extending from my right pinky finger up to my elbow from the repetitive nature of my position. I filed an OWCP claim; it was approved. I bid to another position in 1988 to avoid additional problems caused by excessive overtime hours and additional strain on my right hand and fingers.

After leaving CFS, I spent approximately six years working as a clerk typist. Even though my title was "clerk typist",  I spent most of my time answering phones and performing other administrative duties, including some filing. The last time I performed these duties was in February 1994.

I secured a position in an office in February 1994. I used a computer to input information and write letters intermittently for eight hours a day. This included uninterrupted computer input for about 2 hours per session and about 2-3 sessions per day. For four years from 1995-1999 I worked 10 hours per day (overtime) performing these duties and others, including fine manipulations with my hands and fingers. When sorting mail on overtime, I had to grasp, grip, pull, squeeze and pinch. While on overtime, I had to lift heavy trays of mail during the two hour period. I am right handed; and gripping these trays has now become difficult with my current condition.

My position was abolished in 2003 and I was assigned and automated letter sorting operation. I was not able to perform the duties assigned to me as an automation clerk because of the pain and swelling it caused in both hands. My new duties had involved more handling of mail at a much quicker pace, using my fingers to grasp, grip, lift and pinch the mail. I performed these actions intermittently for at least seven hours per day.

Shortly after my reassignment to automation, my doctor restricted me from working for two weeks to allow the swelling and pain to diminish. I was totally incapacitated during these two weeks and was unable to perform any duties assigned to me. I feel the repetitive and quick action of my new position is what caused both of my hands/wrists to develop more severe and advanced stages of carpal tunnel.

I received a new job in a manual sort operation approx. September 2003. I grasp a piece of mail and insert it into a pigeonhole at a rate of approx. 600-700 pieces per hour. This is done for eight hours a day. During this time, I have to grasp a stack of mail when the pigeonhole is full and needs to be emptied. This happens approx. 3-4 times per hour, depending on the volume. I also have to lift heavy trays of mail approx. 2-3 times per hour. When I�m working my other relief assignment, I have to lift about 50 heavy trays or more during the shift. I also have to open bags with zippers and pull out bundles of mail and then remove the rubber bands. There are approx. 60-70 of these bags with bundles.

In the past, I could tolerate the uncomfortable symptoms of my hands falling asleep every once in a while. But, the symptoms have increased to the point of becoming intolerable. The pain has become too frequent. My hands would get numb, but I would ignore it because I thought it was temporary. I finally sought aggressive medical treatment because of the increased numbness and pain. I am also concerned about permanent damage.

I discussed my condition with my doctor August 2003 and was sent for a nerve test on my right hand/wrist. The nerve test was conducted in September 2003. It was determined I had severe carpal tunnel syndrome of the right hand/wrist and that surgery was needed.

I tried everything to treat my symptoms on my own. I was concerned the surgery was not going to cure my carpal tunnel and that my general health would suffer.

My hands fall asleep and tingle with pain. The numbness in my hands keeps me awake at night. I have problems gripping the steering wheel while driving. I cannot open jars easily. I cannot mow the lawn because I cannot grip the handle. The numbness and pain is becoming a huge problem. It affects everything I do.

Thank you in advance for your consideration.


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