Justiniano worked in a poultry-packing plant where his job was cutting open chickens and stripping out their visceral organs. After work, he typed for long hours on his computer keyboard, writing a book about his work in the plant. Soon, his wrist and hand began to hurt whenever he flexed it, and he began to awaken at night with pain and tingling on the thumb half of his hand. What condition did he probably have?

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the symptoms described: pain and tingling in the thumb half of the hand, especially at night, and pain when flexing the wrist.
2. Consider the activities Justiniano is engaged in: repetitive wrist and hand movements from cutting chickens and typing.
3. Recognize that these symptoms and activities are commonly associated with a condition affecting the median nerve.
4. Recall that the median nerve runs through the carpal tunnel in the wrist, and compression of this nerve can lead to the symptoms described.
5. Conclude that the condition Justiniano likely has is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, which is characterized by the compression of the median nerve in the wrist.

Key Concepts

Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI)

Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) refers to a range of conditions resulting from repetitive motion or overuse of muscles and tendons, often affecting the hands, wrists, and arms. In Justiniano's case, his prolonged typing and manual labor likely contributed to the development of RSI, leading to pain and discomfort in his wrist and hand.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is a specific type of RSI that occurs when the median nerve, which runs through the wrist, becomes compressed. Symptoms include pain, tingling, and numbness in the hand, particularly affecting the thumb and first two fingers, which aligns with Justiniano's reported symptoms of pain and tingling.

Ergonomics

Ergonomics is the study of designing equipment and workspaces to fit the user's needs, aiming to reduce strain and improve comfort. Proper ergonomic practices, such as maintaining a neutral wrist position while typing and taking regular breaks, can help prevent conditions like RSI and CTS, which Justiniano may have experienced due to poor ergonomic practices in his work environment.