Carpal Tunnel Syndrome 

Carpal tunnel syndrome is fairly common and it is normally relieved by surgery.  If the surgery is  not fully successful, the person may have limitations on the ability to grasp objects and hand strength.  Although carpal tunnel syndrome can interfere with a person’s manual dexterity, it normally will not be the person’s only impairment. In some cases, carpal tunnel syndrome is part of an overall rheumatic condition such as rheumatoid arthritis or systemic lupus. If the carpal tunnel syndrome is really severe, the person may need to wear wrist splints which makes working difficult, but not impossible. You may not have had surgery for your carpal tunnel  syndrome prior to your hearing with the Social Security Administration.  In this case the Social Security Administration will normally handle this issue by limiting the types of work you can do when they analyze your case.

It is not a good idea to go before the Social Security Administration with carpal tunnel syndrome as your sole impairment.   Most of the time, surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome is successful so there will not be significant residual problems after surgery.  This impairment is normally one of several other impairments a person will have when going before the Social Security Administration seeking disability.