mmfeature

When Typing Becomes Torture: Mary Lourdis’ Battle with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Mary Lourdis, 32, sits at her desk transcribing a court document word by word. She
struggles to hit each key, stopping frequently to rest her hand. The pain is almost unbearable.
For Lourdis, experiencing pain while doing seemingly simple tasks is a daily occurrence.
Lourdis is one of four to 10 million Americans diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome.
What is carpal tunnel syndrome?
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition which affects the nerves in the hand, wrist, and
forearm. The condition is named after the nerve it affects­­the carpal tunnel. The carpal tunnel is
the major nerve that runs from the hand all the way up the forearm. This nerve controls
sensations in the hand and allows the fingers and thumb to move. Carpal tunnel syndrome is
caused when that major nerve becomes pinched at the wrist.
The Diagnosis
A resident of Oxboro, Maryland, Lourdis is a working wife and mother. She graduated
from the Community College of Baltimore County and currently works as a paralegal at Harris
& Maines law firm. In February 2013, Lourdis began developing symptoms, such as waking
during the night and difficulty grasping small items. “At first I thought my hands were just sore
because I spend so much time on the computer at work and hand­copying information at the
courthouse,” said Lourdis. By December of 2013, Lourdis was diagnosed after missing an entire
week of work.
Who’s At Risk and Why?
Carpal tunnel syndrome can affect anyone. However, women are three times more likely to
develop it than men. The causes of carpal tunnel syndrome are numerous and sometimes difficult

to diagnose. Realistically, carpal tunnel syndrome is often the result of a combination of factors
that all increase pressure on the nerve. Things like repeated use of power tools, work stress or
injury to the wrist can cause carpal tunnel syndrome. However, it can also be caused by more
severe things like rheumatoid arthritis, a cyst or tumor in the carpal tunnel, or diabetes.
It’s a common belief that heavy computer use causes carpal tunnel syndrome. In 2006, a study
done by the Mayo Clinic found that heavy computer use (up to seven hours a day) did not
increase the risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome.
The risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome does not exist only within one field of work. It is
true, however, that people who work on assembly lines are three times more likely to develop
carpal tunnel syndrome than those who work mainly at a computer.
Mary Lourdis has a potent combination of two of these risk factors present, making her risk of
developing carpal tunnel syndrome very high. First, Lourdis is diabetic, which affects the body’s
nerves and increased her risk. Second, rheumatoid arthritis runs in her family. Not to mention,
Lourdis is a female, tripling her risk.
What to Watch For
Like Mary Lourdis, carpal tunnel sufferers often say that carpal tunnel syndrome
symptoms often start gradually­­burning, tingling, or itching in the palm of the hand and fingers.
Usually, the symptoms begin appearing during the night, in one or both hands.
As previously stated, women are more likely to develop carpal tunnel syndrome than
men. “Women in particular should be on the lookout for certain symptoms that begin as minor
nuisances and gradually worsen,” said Dr. Stephen Ambrose, Lourdis’ physician.
Living with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

It’s taco night at the Lourdis house. Mary Lourdis stands in the kitchen, chopping vegetables for
their mini taco bar. She’s nearly finished chopping when she calmly sets down her knife, wipes
her hands and takes a break. Her husband asks if she is OK. She explains, with a defeated tone,
that her wrists and hands were bothering her too much to finish.
The pain Lourdis experiences when doing simple tasks at work and at home is shared by
many other carpal tunnel syndrome sufferers. “The pain can interfere with my job, things I like
to do in my personal life, and even taking care of my daughter,” said Lourdis.
Carpal tunnel syndrome can be treated. Treatment for the disorder ranges. At first.
stretching and strengthening exercises can help in both preventing carpal tunnel syndrome and
treating mild symptoms. In special circumstances various drugs are used to ease pain and
swelling associated with carpal tunnel syndrome. Studies have also found that yoga reduces pain
and improves grip strength among patients with carpal tunnel syndrome.
There are also surgical treatments for carpal tunnel syndrome. In fact, carpal tunnel
release is one of the most common surgical procedures in the United States. Surgery is usually
done on both of the hands and is recommended if symptoms last for six months or more.
“There is no reason to live with the pain of this disorder, which can be debilitating but is
also treatable,” said Dr. Tom Starnes, Research Director for the National Institute for
Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
For Mary Lourdis, surgery is the last resort. Currently, Lourdis uses anti­inflammatory
drugs, occasional steroid injections and regular exercise to manage her symptoms. “It takes a lot
of effort to keep the symptoms under control but I am hoping to avoid surgery,” said Lourdis.
Researching Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Research is being done to help better understand, prevent and treat carpal tunnel syndrome.
Clinical trials of drugs and procedures are done to determine how best to treat carpal tunnel
syndrome. Currently, scientists are testing the use of alternative therapies, like acupuncture, to
prevent and treat carpal tunnel syndrome. “We know much more about carpal tunnel syndrome
than just a few years ago, from symptoms and susceptibility to diagnosis to treatment,” said Dr.
Tom Starnes.
Mary Lourdis sits by her one­and­a­half year­old daughter’s crib, reading her a story as she falls
asleep. She struggles to turn each pain, gritting her teeth through the pain. She has conquered the
pain another day.