REACTS: Return to Employment After Carpal Tunnel Release Surgery
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Return to employment after carpal tunnel release surgery (REACTS): A prospective observational cohort study with a nested qualitative interview study
IRAS ID
209840
Contact name
Lisa Newington
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 6 months, 1 days
Research summary
When and how should patients return to work after carpal tunnel release surgery?
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common condition affecting the hand/wrist. It occurs when the median nerve becomes compressed as it passes through the wrist. CTS causes pain, altered sensation (feeling) in the fingers, and weakened pinch grip. Mild CTS can be treated with splints or steroid injections, but if symptoms are severe, carpal tunnel release surgery (CTR) is recommended. Many of those having CTR surgery are working, and yet there is currently no evidence advising when it is safe to return to different types of work after the operation. Sick leave after CTR varies widely.
The aim of this research is to inform when patients can safely and effectively return to work after CTR. There are three main research questions:
1) When and how do patients return to work after CTR?
2) Is earlier return to work associated with poorer outcomes, and if so, in what circumstances?
3) What are the key barriers and facilitators of return to work after CTR?350 working patients will be recruited from participating hospitals before their CTR operation. They will be invited to complete a questionnaire containing information about their symptoms, work and other relevant information. Four and 12 weeks after their operation, we will send further questionnaires asking about when and how they returned to work, their symptoms and any complications. 15-30 participants will also be invited to speak to the researchers in more detail about their experiences of returning to work. In total, the study is expected to run for 18 months. We will use the patients' responses to create new evidence-based guidance for return to work after CTR.
REC name
Wales REC 6
REC reference
16/WA/0390
Date of REC Opinion
7 Dec 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion