Return-to-work interval and surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome. Results of a prospective series of 233 patients.

AIM OF THE STUDY: To evaluate the connection between the type of patient insurance and the time taken to return to work after carpal tunnel surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Two hundred and thirty-three patients in full-time work were operated on for carpal tunnel syndrome between 1 January and 30 June 1998. They were divided into three groups: independent workers (n=87), wage earners in the private sector (n=90) and civil servants (n=56). Four categories were defined: manual workers, non-manual workers, patients with social security insurance and patients with workers compensation. The average return-to-work interval after surgery for each of the groups was evaluated and compared group by group. RESULTS: For independent workers the average time off work is 17 days, for those in the private sector it is 35 days, and for civil servants it is 56 days. Patients with social security insurance were off work for 32 days and those with workers compensation for 49 days. DISCUSSION: The comparison shows significant differences with regard to social security insurance: the return-to-work interval in civil servants is larger than for private sector workers, and this is higher than in independent workers. The difference between patients with workers compensation and those with social security insurance is 17 days and significant. There is a significant difference between manual and non-manual workers in independent and private sector workers. There is no significant difference between the sub-groups in the civil servants. These cross references enable us to work out the influence that social security status has on the return-to-work time following surgery.

[Professional absenteeism and surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome. Results of a prospective series of 233 patients]. / Interruption professionnelle et chirurgie des syndromes du canal carpien. Résultats d'une série prospective de 233 patients.

AIM: The aim of our work was to evaluate the influence of the type of patient's insurance ant the return to work interval after carpal tunnel release. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An prospective analysis of 233 patients (18-65 years old, full time workers) undergoing a carpal tunnel release between January and June 1998 was conducted to determine the interval between surgery and return to work. For statistical analysis we used the Ms Works and Status software package. The mean return-to-work intervals were determined for the following and compared for three groups. Group 1: independent worker, n = 87; group 2: wage earner, n = 90; group 3: civil servant, n = 56; and 4 others subgroups: manual workers, n = 164; non manual workers, n = 69; patients with social security insurance, n = 191; patients with workers compensation, n = 42. RESULTS: For the patients in group 1 the average return to work was 17 days (11 days for non manual workers, 29 days for manual workers). In group 2, the average was 35 days (21 days for non manual workers, 42 for manual workers). In group 3 the average was 56 days (49 days for non manual workers and 63 days for manual workers). The statistical analysis showed the civil servant took significantly longer to return to work than independent workers or wage earner (p < 0.05). The work related patients took significantly longer than patients covered by social security. The effect of occupational han (manual versus non manual) use was clear in the group 1 and 2, but there was no difference in the group 3. DISCUSSION: Our study of 233 patients demonstrated significant difference between independent workers, wage earners, and civil servants in term of return-to-work intervals. In comparing manual and non manual workers, we found a significant difference in group 1 and 2, but in civil servants group non difference were found. We cannot explain these findings on medical grounds.