The Lister Hospital
Chelsea Bridge Road SW1W 8RH London
Carpal tunnel surgery
Carpal tunnel surgery is an operation that relieves pain, numbness and tingling in the hand and wrist caused by carpal tunnel syndrome. Also known as carpal tunnel release surgery, this procedure alleviates the symptoms and can improve dexterity.
At HCA UK we:
- Confirm consultations with a hand and wrist specialist within one working day
- Are number one for private orthopaedic care in London
- Offer carpal tunnel treatments at our leading healthcare facilities in London, the West Midlands and Cheshire
- Provide imaging and diagnostics supported by specialist musculoskeletal radiologists
What is a carpal tunnel syndrome?
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition where there's pressure on the nerve that controls sensation and movement in your wrist and hand. Before it reaches the thumb and fingers, this nerve (the median nerve) passes through the carpal tunnel. This is a space located in the wrist and sits between the bones and a thick fibrous ligament.
Pressure in the carpal tunnel on the median nerve can be due to a variety of factors. It can be difficult to pinpoint one specific cause. When pressure develops, it can lead to symptoms in the fingers, thumb, wrist and sometimes the arm or shoulder.
What are the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome?
Symptoms can vary in severity but include numbness or tingling (pins and needles sensation) in the thumb, fingers and wrist which is:
- Often present on and off, or all the time
- Often worse at night or first thing in the morning
- Sometimes worse when performing repetitive tasks
- Sometimes extends up to the arm or shoulder
- Sometimes affects both hands. You may experience:
- Weakness or difficulty gripping
- Dropping objects or struggling to write
- Dull ache in the hands
What causes carpal tunnel syndrome?
There is often no clear cause for carpal tunnel syndrome, but there are some risk factors which might increase the chances of someone developing the condition. These include:
- Inflammation caused by repetitive movements in the hand or wrist or degenerative conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis. Carpal tunnel syndrome can also appear in pregnancy due to hormone changes that result in inflammation or swelling.
- A narrow carpal tunnel, which is more commonly seen in women.
- Previous hand or wrist injuries can sometimes increase the pressure in the median nerve that's responsible for the condition..
- Type 2 diabetes or thyroid problems can increase the risk.
When should I see a doctor about my carpal tunnel syndrome?
Seeking advice before symptoms become severe can mean you receive treatment before the tingling, pain or numbness start to affect your ability to carry out everyday activities. It would also prevent the longer-term nerve damage that can occur if left too late.
What are the treatments for carpal tunnel syndrome?
To provide relief from carpal tunnel symptoms, your doctor might suggest you try non-surgical treatment methods to begin with. These could include:
- A splint for night-time: This helps to prevent wrist movement and reduces nerve compression.
- Steroid injections: Cortisone is an anti-inflammatory that is injected directly into the carpal tunnel and can offer symptom relief for a few months or longer term.
If non-surgical treatments fail, or symptoms are severe, then carpal tunnel surgery (or carpal tunnel release) might be recommended. Surgery usually removes the symptoms completely and improves quality of life.
What is a carpal tunnel release surgery?
This treatment involves a day case operation to release the pressure on the carpal tunnel and relieve the symptoms. You won’t be required to stay overnight. The operation is usually under local anaesthetic which means you won't need to be put to sleep when undergoing this type of surgery.
Carpal tunnel release surgery involves the surgeon making a small incision on your palm to carefully open the roof of the carpal tunnel. This removes the pressure on the nerve. The skin wound will then be stitched back up and, after the recovery period, you can expect to experience good relief from your symptoms.
What are the benefits of carpal tunnel surgery?
The main benefits of having surgery to treat carpal tunnel syndrome include a significant reduction in tingling, pain and numbness. You may sleep better at night without the symptoms and you may find it much easier to use your hand for everyday tasks.
Carpal tunnel surgery aims to offer permanent relief from the symptoms of the condition once the initial recovery period has taken place.
Are there any risks associated with carpal tunnel surgery?
Carpal tunnel release surgery is safe and the risks are low compared to other operations. However, your surgeon will discuss any potential complications with you before surgery. These might include:
- Infection or bleeding associated with the wound
- Damage to nerves resulting in temporary pain and numbness
If any problems persist, you may be referred for physiotherapy treatments or even further surgery if symptoms fail to improve.
Full recovery from surgery can take a few weeks to a few months. The length of time depends on the severity of the condition prior to the procedure and how long you initially had symptoms for.
Carpal tunnel surgery FAQs
Your consultant will explain the procedure and give you details of how to prepare. They will also answer any questions you may have. As your carpal tunnel operation will be carried out under local anaesthetic, you won't need to stay overnight and can go home after your surgery.
You should arrange to have someone take you home as you won't be able to drive. Your consultant will explain any side effects to you prior to your surgery.
You may initially have pain, swelling and stiffness, but you can use your hand and do light activities from the day after your surgery.
Healing is focused on the wound and it's important to ensure the area stays clean and dry until the skin has fully healed. Your consultant will explain how to do this to promote effective healing. The wound should be fully healed in around 10 days to two weeks and you'll be given a follow-up appointment to check all is well.
Once the wound has healed, you should be able to start going back to your regular activities. Your consultant will let you know when you can get back to your usual routine.
You might also experience pain, numbness or weakness as part of the recovery process. You might need to have hand therapy to help strengthen your wrist, which could involve a series of physiotherapy exercises as well as advice on ergonomics.
You won't be able to drive yourself home after having carpal tunnel release surgery. Before driving again, you should wait until you can move your hand and wrist properly to ensure safety and be aware of the effects of any medication. Your consultant will provide more information on when you can expect to drive after surgery.
You may be able to return to work around two weeks after your surgery, but this will depend on the type of job you have. If you engage in lighter duties, for example, you'll be able to return to work sooner than you would if your job involves manual work.
Again, your consultant will let you know when you can get back to your usual routine.
Why choose HCA UK?
- Specialists in orthopaedic care: We're number one in London for private orthopaedic care. You can access a hand and wrist consultant with a wealth of experience in dealing with carpal tunnel syndrome.
- We're rated 'Outstanding': Based on all UK private hospital groups, we have more 'Outstanding' ratings from the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
- Patient satisfaction: In our 2023 patient satisfaction survey, 97% of our orthopaedic patients rated us as very good or excellent and 99% were likely or very likely to recommend us to family and friends.
- Tailored care: If you choose to have carpal tunnel surgery with us, you will receive personalised care to the highest standards.
How much does private carpal tunnel surgery cost?
The exact cost of your surgery depends on the treatment plan recommended by your consultant and will be discussed with you during your initial appointment. There are a variety of ways to pay for your procedure including via self-pay or through your medical insurance. If you choose to use self-pay, you can easily make payments online or via our team.
Our carpal tunnel locations
London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street SE1 2PR London
The Wilmslow Hospital
52-54 Alderley Road Wilmslow SK9 1NY Cheshire
The Wellington Hospital
Wellington Place St John's Wood NW8 9LE London
The Harborne Hospital
Mindelsohn Way B15 2FQ Birmingham
The Princess Grace Hospital
42-52 Nottingham Place W1U 5NY London
Book an appointment
You can arrange to see one of our experienced consultants by calling us or book online today. At your consultation, you can discuss your symptoms and condition and treatment options, including carpal tunnel surgery, if appropriate. We can also make diagnostic and physiotherapy appointments for you if required.
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This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.