Background: Work-related carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a leading cause of disability. There is a need for information about temporal trends, clinical practices, and treatment outcomes.
Methods: A population based, retrospective cohort study of Washington State workers' compensation claims for CTS was initiated focusing on claims filed during 1990-1994, followed through 2000 (n = 16,710).
Results: Half of the claims were filed for conditions other than CTS, but were eventually identified to be or include CTS. The first CTS diagnosis occurred more than 3 months after claim filing in 20% of claims. The longer that the CTS diagnosis occurred after claim filing, the more likely that CTS was accompanied by other problems, and disability tended to be longer.
Conclusions: Making an accurate diagnosis of CTS and initiating appropriate actions earlier than might otherwise occur could reduce the disability and costs in a large fraction of claims that are ultimately determined to involve CTS.