Dear RSTN Member,

Please would you be kind enough to take part in an NIHR-funded survey exploring return to work after carpal tunnel release. The aim of this survey is to describe UK clinical practice.

The survey is part of a larger programme of research investigating return to work after carpal tunnel release, which is being run by the Arthritis Research UK – MRC Centre for Musculoskeletal Health and Work at the University of Southampton.

The questionnaire is anonymous, contains a maximum of 17 questions, and is expected to take approximately 5 minutes to complete. If you do not routinely perform carpal tunnel release procedures, or treat patients following carpal tunnel release, we would still like you to respond to section one. A full participant information sheet is included at the beginning of the survey.

Your support is really appreciated.

Surgeons, you can access the survey here: www.isurvey.soton.ac.uk/19892

Therapists, you can access the survey here: www.isurvey.soton.ac.uk/20600

The survey has been reviewed and approved by the University of Southampton Faculty of Medicine Ethics Committee (reference: ERGO 20993).

If you have any questions, or would like any additional information, please do not hesitate to contact Lisa Newington: ln@mrc.soton.ac.uk, or Prof David Warwick: davidwarwick@handsurgery.co.uk

Many thanks in advance,

Lisa Newington                                                            Prof David Warwick

NIHR Doctoral Research Fellow                                    Hand Surgeon

Arthritis Research UK – MRC Centre                                    University Hospital Southampton NHS

For MSK Health and Work                                                Foundation Trust

MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit                                    Southampton General Hospital

University of Southampton