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Occupational Medicine Advance Access published online on March 28, 2008
Occupational Medicine, doi:10.1093/occmed/kqn034
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© The Author 2008. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society of Occupational Medicine. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oxfordjournals.org

Factors influencing return to work after surgical treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome

R. De Kesel, P. Donceel and L. De Smet

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, U.Z. Pellenberg, Weligerveld 1, B-3212 Lubbeek (Pellenberg), Belgium

Background Controversy exists regarding the factors influencing the duration of work incapacity after surgically treated carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).

Aim To determine relevant factors related to return to work.

Methods Surgical technique, clinical factors, demographic factors, other medical problems, psychosocial factors, work-related and economical factors were reviewed in patients operated on for CTS. Statistical multivariate analyses were performed to identify the baseline factors influencing the work incapacity period.

Results A total of 107 cases were reviewed. Professional exposure to repetitive movements and heavy manual handling activity were associated with a longer return-to-work interval. The duration of work incapacity period was not significantly related to the socioprofessional category of the patient (self-employed or employee) or to the type of the procedure (open versus endoscopic surgery).

Conclusion Work-related features have a more important influence on return to work than personal, pathological or surgical features.

Keywords      Carpal tunnel; disability; return to work

Correspondence to: L. De Smet, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, U.Z. Pellenberg, Weligerveld 1, B-3212 Lubbeek (Pellenberg), Belgium. Tel: +32 016 338800; fax: +32 016 338803; e-mail: luc.desmet{at}uz.kuleuven.ac.be


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