Article

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate occupational outcomes after surgical release of the median
nerve in carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). DESIGN: Retrospective study 12 to 24
months after surgery. SETTING: Hand centers (N=3) in 2 different areas.
PARTICIPANTS: Patients who had undergone surgical release of the median nerve in
2002 to 2003. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Duration of
sick leave after surgery and associated factors were analyzed by using bivariate
(log rank) and multivariate analyses of survival (Cox model). RESULTS:
Questionnaires mailed in 2004 regarding medical condition (history and surgery),
employment (occupational category codes in 1 digit), and compensation were
returned (N=1248; 62%), with 253 men and 682 women stating they were employed at
the time of surgery (N=935). Most were working at the time of the study (n=851;
91.0%). Median duration of sick leave before returning to work was 60 days. The
main factors associated with adverse occupational outcome (long duration of sick
leave) were simultaneous intervention for another upper-extremity musculoskeletal
disorder, belief (by the patient) in an occupational cause, and "blue-collar
worker" occupational category (the strongest determinant). CONCLUSION: This study
emphasizes the multifactorial nature of the occupational outcome of CTS after
surgery, including occupational category. The probability of return to work for
each risk factor provides a fair description of prognosis for physicians and
patients.
CI - Copyright (c) 2011 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by
Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS