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. 2023 Sep 30:21:100237.
doi: 10.1016/j.wnsx.2023.100237. eCollection 2024 Jan.

Prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms among neurosurgical spine surgeons

Courtney Pendleton  1 , Karina Lenartowicz  2 , Mohamad Bydon  3 , Robert J Spinner  3
Affiliations

Prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms among neurosurgical spine surgeons

Courtney Pendleton et al. World Neurosurg X. .

Abstract

Background: Neurosurgeons, particularly spine surgeons, have high exposure to vibrations via electric or pneumatic drills and repetitive motion. Although no data exist for the prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) among these surgeons, anecdotal evidence suggests the rate of symptoms is higher than in the general population.

Methods: An anonymous questionnaire was developed to assess demographics, practice patterns, presence of CTS symptoms, and treatment (time off, bracing, medication, injections, surgery). The survey was sent via anonymous email link to members of the AANS/CNS Joint Section on Disorders of the Spine and Peripheral Nerve.

Results: 101 members responded: 44 reported at least one symptom related to CTS (43.6%). There was no statistically significant relationship between overall or spine case volume, the number of cases performed annually/daily, and CTS symptoms. Respondents working in non-teaching settings were significantly more likely to have CTS symptoms than academic teaching institutions (50.0% v. 45.0%; p = 0.0112).

Conclusions: Our survey demonstrated CTS to be more prevalent in spine neurosurgeons (43.6%) than in the general population (1-5%). The lack of significant association between most practice-based metrics and CTS symptoms may indicate that respondents have a minimum case volume that exceeds the amount of vibration exposure/repetitive motion to develop symptoms. The significantly increased prevalence of CTS among neurosurgeons at non-teaching institutions suggests that residents provide operative assistance offsetting the vibration exposure/repetitive motion by attendings. Further research may determine the root cause for the high prevalence of CTS in spine neurosurgeons and devise methods for reducing vibration exposure.

Keywords: Carpal tunnel syndrome; Hand arm vibration syndrome; Occupational health; Spine surgeons; Vibration exposure.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

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