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Impact of Exposure to Hand-Held Vibrating Tools on Patient-Reported Outcome Measures after Open Carpal Tunnel Release : A Retrospective Cohort Study with Matched Controls

Zimmerman, Malin LU orcid ; Åselius, Lisa LU ; Dahlin, Erik LU orcid ; Andersson, Gert S. LU and Dahlin, Lars B. LU orcid (2024) In Journal of Clinical Medicine 13(16).
Abstract

Objectives: Vibration exposure is a known risk factor for developing carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), and insufficient outcomes for surgery for CTS have been reported after such exposure. We aim to investigate whether vibration exposure affects patient-reported outcomes following open carpal tunnel release. Methods: From a population surgically treated for CTS (n = 962), we identified patients who reported previous or present vibration exposure, had undergone preoperative electrophysiology testing and answered the Quick Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder and Hand (QuickDASH) questionnaire before and at 12 months post-surgery (n = 23). We then matched the patients with controls based on age, sex, diabetes status, type of diabetes and smoking (n... (More)

Objectives: Vibration exposure is a known risk factor for developing carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), and insufficient outcomes for surgery for CTS have been reported after such exposure. We aim to investigate whether vibration exposure affects patient-reported outcomes following open carpal tunnel release. Methods: From a population surgically treated for CTS (n = 962), we identified patients who reported previous or present vibration exposure, had undergone preoperative electrophysiology testing and answered the Quick Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder and Hand (QuickDASH) questionnaire before and at 12 months post-surgery (n = 23). We then matched the patients with controls based on age, sex, diabetes status, type of diabetes and smoking (n = 23). Results: Most of the patients included were men (17/23; 74% in each group) and had a mean age of 61 years. The preoperative electrophysiology results were slightly worse among vibration-exposed individuals, although the differences were not statistically significant. The QuickDASH scores did not differ between the two groups (preoperative QuickDASH scores in vibration-exposed individuals: median 45 [interquartile range; IQR 30–61]; non-exposed individuals: 43 [25–64], p = 0.68; postoperative 12 months QuickDASH score in vibration-exposed individuals: 20 [2–45]; non-exposed individuals: 14 [5–34], p = 0.87). Conclusions: When controlling for known confounders, vibration-exposed individuals can expect the same symptom relief following open carpal tunnel release as non-exposed individuals. Individual assessments and treatment of CTS are warranted if there is a history of vibration exposure.

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author
; ; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
carpal tunnel syndrome, open carpal tunnel release, vibration
in
Journal of Clinical Medicine
volume
13
issue
16
article number
4954
publisher
MDPI AG
external identifiers
  • scopus:85202693168
  • pmid:39201094
ISSN
2077-0383
DOI
10.3390/jcm13164954
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
1bec76d1-550e-4aca-a18f-5d44572b7a7b
date added to LUP
2024-11-25 11:55:39
date last changed
2025-07-08 06:19:13
@article{1bec76d1-550e-4aca-a18f-5d44572b7a7b,
  abstract     = {{<p>Objectives: Vibration exposure is a known risk factor for developing carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), and insufficient outcomes for surgery for CTS have been reported after such exposure. We aim to investigate whether vibration exposure affects patient-reported outcomes following open carpal tunnel release. Methods: From a population surgically treated for CTS (n = 962), we identified patients who reported previous or present vibration exposure, had undergone preoperative electrophysiology testing and answered the Quick Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder and Hand (QuickDASH) questionnaire before and at 12 months post-surgery (n = 23). We then matched the patients with controls based on age, sex, diabetes status, type of diabetes and smoking (n = 23). Results: Most of the patients included were men (17/23; 74% in each group) and had a mean age of 61 years. The preoperative electrophysiology results were slightly worse among vibration-exposed individuals, although the differences were not statistically significant. The QuickDASH scores did not differ between the two groups (preoperative QuickDASH scores in vibration-exposed individuals: median 45 [interquartile range; IQR 30–61]; non-exposed individuals: 43 [25–64], p = 0.68; postoperative 12 months QuickDASH score in vibration-exposed individuals: 20 [2–45]; non-exposed individuals: 14 [5–34], p = 0.87). Conclusions: When controlling for known confounders, vibration-exposed individuals can expect the same symptom relief following open carpal tunnel release as non-exposed individuals. Individual assessments and treatment of CTS are warranted if there is a history of vibration exposure.</p>}},
  author       = {{Zimmerman, Malin and Åselius, Lisa and Dahlin, Erik and Andersson, Gert S. and Dahlin, Lars B.}},
  issn         = {{2077-0383}},
  keywords     = {{carpal tunnel syndrome; open carpal tunnel release; vibration}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{16}},
  publisher    = {{MDPI AG}},
  series       = {{Journal of Clinical Medicine}},
  title        = {{Impact of Exposure to Hand-Held Vibrating Tools on Patient-Reported Outcome Measures after Open Carpal Tunnel Release : A Retrospective Cohort Study with Matched Controls}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/jcm13164954}},
  doi          = {{10.3390/jcm13164954}},
  volume       = {{13}},
  year         = {{2024}},
}