Median and common peroneal neuropathy in coir workers of Alappuzha district, Kerala

INTRODUCTION: Coir work, in a large number of people involves mechanically rolling the coconut fibers into coir which is later subjected to various processes. The primary work is done as a cottage industry specially by women in the sitting posture for several hours. This study reports evidence of median and common peroneal neuropathy electrophysiologically in people who had been engaged in this job for several years. This study was initiated to establish the possible relationship between coir work and symptomatic neuropathies which was seen in that region with all investigations “for other causes not” contributing to the etiological diagnosis. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: One hundred and forty-two upper limbs and 142 lower limbs in patients engaged in long years of coir work but having no symptoms were evaluated electrophysiologically with informed consent and financial compensation, appropriate inclusion and exclusion criteria were followed as described in the text. RESULTS: There is electrophysiological evidence for median and common peroneal neuropathy in persons engaged in long years of coir work. CONCLUSIONS: Coir workers neuropathy appears to be a new occupational neuropathy which can be prevented by following simple preventive measures.