Validation of a one-stop carpal tunnel clinic including nerve conduction studies and hand therapy
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Published version
Author(s)
Ball, C
Pearse, M
Kennedy, D
Hall, A
Nanchahal, J
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
INTRODUCTION
Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common hand disorder. We describe a pathway that includes clinical assessment, neurophysiological testing, surgery and physical therapy all at the same visit.
METHODS
All referrals for carpal tunnel syndrome were screened for inclusion in a ‘one-stop’ surgeon-led clinic. Prospective clinical data collected included patient reported outcome measures and satisfaction scores, touch threshold, pinch and grip strength. Patients were assessed clinically, underwent nerve conduction studies and surgery as indicated, all on the same day. Baseline and one-year follow-up data were analysed for 57 patients (62 hands).
RESULTS
There was significant improvement in all domains of the Boston Carpal Tunnel and Michigan Hand Outcomes questionnaires, grip strength and touch threshold. There were no adverse events. The total mean operating time was 12.8 minutes (range: 5–15 minutes) and the mean tourniquet time was 2.5 minutes (range: 1–11 minutes). Using a dual theatre model produced a short mean turnaround time of 14.8 minutes (range: 2–37 minutes). Patient satisfaction as judged using a Picker questionnaire was very high.
CONCLUSIONS
A highly efficient clinical service involving both diagnostics and treatment can be delivered at a single hospital visit while maintaining optimal outcomes and high patient satisfaction.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common hand disorder. We describe a pathway that includes clinical assessment, neurophysiological testing, surgery and physical therapy all at the same visit.
METHODS
All referrals for carpal tunnel syndrome were screened for inclusion in a ‘one-stop’ surgeon-led clinic. Prospective clinical data collected included patient reported outcome measures and satisfaction scores, touch threshold, pinch and grip strength. Patients were assessed clinically, underwent nerve conduction studies and surgery as indicated, all on the same day. Baseline and one-year follow-up data were analysed for 57 patients (62 hands).
RESULTS
There was significant improvement in all domains of the Boston Carpal Tunnel and Michigan Hand Outcomes questionnaires, grip strength and touch threshold. There were no adverse events. The total mean operating time was 12.8 minutes (range: 5–15 minutes) and the mean tourniquet time was 2.5 minutes (range: 1–11 minutes). Using a dual theatre model produced a short mean turnaround time of 14.8 minutes (range: 2–37 minutes). Patient satisfaction as judged using a Picker questionnaire was very high.
CONCLUSIONS
A highly efficient clinical service involving both diagnostics and treatment can be delivered at a single hospital visit while maintaining optimal outcomes and high patient satisfaction.
Date Issued
2011-11-01
Date Acceptance
2011-08-05
Citation
Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, 2011, 93 (8), pp.634-638
ISSN
1478-7083
Publisher
Royal College of Surgeons of England
Start Page
634
End Page
638
Journal / Book Title
Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons of England
Volume
93
Issue
8
Copyright Statement
© 2015 The Royal College of Surgeons of England
Identifier
http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000296597900014&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=1ba7043ffcc86c417c072aa74d649202
Subjects
Science & Technology
Life Sciences & Biomedicine
Surgery
SURGERY
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Outcomes
Prospective
Physical therapy
RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED-TRIAL
OUTCOMES QUESTIONNAIRE
GENERAL-POPULATION
RESPONSIVENESS
DECOMPRESSION
SYMPTOMS
RELEASE
WRIST
Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Ambulatory Care
Anti-Inflammatory Agents
Betamethasone
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Female
Hand Strength
Humans
Length of Stay
Male
Middle Aged
Neural Conduction
Patient Satisfaction
Physical Therapy Modalities
Prospective Studies
Sensory Thresholds
Surveys and Questionnaires
Treatment Outcome
Questionnaires
1103 Clinical Sciences
Publication Status
Published