Prognostic Variables for Patient Return-to-Work Interval Following Carpal Tunnel Release in a Workers' Compensation...

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Occupational Health
• Psychiatry

Background:

• Carpal tunnel release (CTR) surgery is common for workers' compensation (WC) patients.
• Predictors of return to work (RTW) after CTR in this population are not fully understood.
• Pre-existing conditions and work factors may influence recovery duration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify significant determinants of the time interval for RTW after CTR surgery in WC patients.
• To assess the impact of psychological disorders, chronic pain, and work-related factors on RTW.
• To inform care providers and employers about potential recovery delays.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of WC patients undergoing open CTR surgery over a 5-year period.
• Inclusion of 152 wrists in 108 patients.
• Bivariate and multivariate analyses to identify predictors of RTW.

Main Results:

• 89% of patients returned to full-duty work.
• Average RTW duration was 12.5 ± 11.3 weeks.
• Delayed RTW was associated with depression/anxiety, chronic pain (including fibromyalgia), preoperative opioid use, and modified preoperative work status.

Conclusions:

• WC patients with depression, anxiety, or fibromyalgia experience significantly delayed RTW after CTR.
• Preoperative opioid use and work restrictions are also linked to protracted RTW.
• Identifying these risk factors aids in managing patient expectations and optimizing postoperative recovery.