Consumer Products and Cumulative Trauma Disorders

Abstract

This panel focuses on the relationship between consumer products and CTD. Between the ages of 18 to 64, more people are disabled from musculoskeletal problems than any other category of disorder. Many of these disabilities are Cumulative Trauma Disorders (CTD). They result from frequent, extreme joint movements and forces. CTD's develop with the use of many different products. Computer terminals are often associated with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS), one type of CTD. However common household products have also been associated with CTD's. Knives, commonly found in kitchens, are also used in the meat packing industry. When used in an industrial setting, such knives are associated with CTD's. Scissors are used in the garment industry. Under conditions of high frequency use, they are associated with CTD's. Many power tools, used by both professionals and amateurs, are inappropriately used for high frequency tasks. Finally, recreational products have long been associated with injuries such as Tennis Elbow and Golfer's Elbow. The panel will discuss attributes of such products that create the potential for a CTD type injury. In addition, the panel will discuss how recreational and work activities interact to aggravate CTD's. The discussion will include the costs, in terms of medical expenses and lost productivity, and the prevention. Special attention will be paid to the design of products and work places to reduce the incidence and severity of such disorders.