Return to driving after carpal tunnel syndrome surgery.

Abstract

Background: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) surgery is one of the most frequent procedures performed in hand surgery and has long been shown to be effective. However, there are still no recommendations concerning the return to driving after the operation. The aim of this study was to determine the average time to return to driving after CTS surgery, and to identify the factors influencing this time.

Hypothesis: Providing appropriate information on this issue could help to anticipate patients' post-operative needs, facilitating the post-operative process.

Patients and methods: Patients who underwent surgery for CTS between 16 November 2022 and 14 November 2023, and who answered a simplified questionnaire at the follow-up visit were included retrospectively and monocentrically. Demographic characteristics, pre- and post-operative parameters and results of additional examinations were analyzed.

Results: One hundred and seven patients were included in this study. The mean time to return to driving was 16 days. This time was significantly longer in female patients (p = 0.035), in patients who had had their medical discharge postponed (p < 0.01), and in those with a perception of work distress (p < 0.01). Patients who were not working returned to driving sooner (p = 0.018), as those with a higher nerve conduction velocity on the preoperative electroneuromyography (p = 0.022).

Discussion: Sex, professional activity, perception of difficulty at work and preoperative nerve conduction velocity seems to be influencing the time taken to resume driving.

Level of evidence: IV; retrospective study.