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Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Logging

By James Wall, Occupational Therapy Doctorate Student, University of Southern Maine

In 2021, the Maine logging industry supported a total of 5,600 direct and indirect jobs (Maine Public, 2023). One survey found that only 10 percent of logging firms in Maine were identified as conventional hand crews using chain saws (Professional Logging Contractors of Maine, 2022). Clearly, much of the logging industry in the Northeast has shifted toward mechanized logging and with this shift there has been a significant reduction in some workplace hazards (Scott et al., 2022). However, mechanized logging methods present other new and unique challenges for loggers’ health and wellbeing. A usual workday for a logger may include extensive work hours, awkward body positions, prolonged sitting, repetitive movements, and exposure to excessive vibration. Unfortunately, these workplace hazards can lead to numerous health issues including musculoskeletal disorders (MSD). MSDs are injuries to the soft tissues of the body such as the muscles, nerves, tendons, joints, and cartilage (CDC, 2022). The prevalence of MSDs in all workplaces are high and may be especially prevalent in the logging industry.

One of the most common MSD of the hand and wrist is carpal tunnel syndrome or CTS. CTS occurs when a narrow passageway made of bones and ligaments on the palm side of the wrist compresses and puts pressure on a major nerve in the arm, the median nerve. This can result in numbness, tingling, and other painful symptoms in the hand, wrist, and arm. The prevalence of CTS is estimated to be around 2-5% of the U.S population (Torres da Costa et al., 2025 & Shiri et al., 2009). This estimation could be even higher for certain populations based on their unique job requirements and work conditions.

Loggers may be an especially prone population for developing CTS due to several workplace factors and ergonomics. For example, because loggers are required to maintain their hands and wrists in possibly awkward positions for long periods of time, they could be exposed to vibration from their machinery. Most loggers operate their machine using joysticks which can be helpful for keeping their wrist in a neutral position (not bent or flexed). However, excessive and prolonged wrist and hand movements when operating these joy sticks can be damaging to the muscles, tendons, and nerves around the carpal tunnel. Some newer models of logging machinery come equipped with ergonomic keyboards that might help reduce the excessive wrist movements.

Additional causes of CTS may include:

-awkward hand/wrist positioning during tasks

-repetitive wrist/hand motions

-exposure to vibrationworking in cold weather

-obesity

-alcohol use

-smoking

-increased age -

-diabetes

(Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers, 2016)

Specific symptoms associated with CTS may include:

-numbness, tingling, and pain in the hand and forearm that might get worse at night

-decreased grip strength

-increased instance of dropping objects

Preventative measures can be taken to lower your risk for developing CTS. If you are starting to experience symptoms of CTS it is important to contact your primary care provider (PCP) to get it checked out. Some strategies to prevent CTS could include:

-Maintaining your hands in a neutral position (not bent)

-Relax your grip when holding objects