SPASH: Shoulder pain in patients having surgery to the hand
Research type
Research Study
Full title
SPASH: Shoulder pain in patients having surgery to the hand
IRAS ID
182813
Contact name
Elizabeth K Tissingh
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
The Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 2 days
Research summary
Hand surgery includes surgery of the hand, wrist and peripheral nerves
of the upper limb. Many patients are treated every year in the NHS with emergency surgery for hand injuries and elective surgery for conditions such as osteoarthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome and Dupuytren’s disease. Most often, these operations are carried out with the patient supine on the operating table and the arm outstretched on a separate arm board.
Anecdotal evidence suggests that a significant proportion of patients experience shoulder pain after hand surgery. This is most often encountered in the first few weeks after surgery. The incidence of this has not previously been described.
This study aims to quantify the incidence of shoulder pain after hand surgery and look at factors which may contribute to the cause of pain. Patients undergoing emergency and elective hand surgery will be asked to complete a pre operative and post operative questionnaire. Results will help quantify the number of patients who experience this adverse effect of hand surgery and help identify modifiable risk factors for shoulder pain after hand surgery.REC name
South West - Cornwall & Plymouth Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/SW/0259
Date of REC Opinion
24 Aug 2015
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion