Occupational Risk of Upper Extremity Injury due to Extended Fingernails in Clerical Workers

Twenty-two volunteer clerical workers entered this pilot study.They were screened with regard to inclusion and exclusion criteria, which consisted of nail length and presence or absence of artificial nails.A questionnaire was administered regarding a possible relationship between nail length (whether artificial or not) and extension injury of their hands, wrists, and forearms.The results of this pilot study did not show a statistically positive association.This may have resulted from the choice of the clerical workers and/or low power (given that it was a pilot study).A more diversified multilocation study with more volunteers is recommended to determine if there is any relationship between hand, wrist, or forearm injury and over-sized fingernails in clerical workers.