Impact of occupational variables in carpal tunnel syndrome.

OBJECTIVE

We studied the impact of work-related factors on the outcome in patients operated for carpal tunnel syndrome.

METHODS

The population consisted of 106 CTS patients who worked at the time of operation. We registered social and occupational data from the patients.

RESULTS

Median time of sick leave was 7 weeks for the total group. Sixty-four percent reported a relationship between their work and the disease. Eighty-nine percent of the operated patients returned to their previous work after operation.

CONCLUSIONS

A majority of the patients attributed the CTS-related symptoms to their occupation. Work-related factors may therefore be one possible explanation for the socioeconomical consequences of CTS. A permanent drop-out from work in more than 1 out of 10 patients after CTS treatment indicate that CTS form a substantial socioeconomical burden in the society.