Private Carpal Tunnel Release

FAQs

When to consider Carpal Tunnel Surgery?

Generally, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is initially treated with the use of wrist splints or steroid injections. However, many people find that these methods have limited effect. If your condition is severe, worsening, or troubling you excessively then Carpal Tunnel Release surgery may be of great value to you.

What is the Carpal Tunnel Release procedure?

During Carpal Tunnel Release surgery our surgeon will use local anaesthetic to numb your wrist. The anaesthetic is injected into your wrist and once it has taken effect you will not feel anything in your wrist and hand thereafter.

Once your wrist and hand are numb, your surgeon will make a cut over the carpal tunnel before cutting the carpal ligament to release pressure. You might be able to have an endoscopic surgery where only a small cut is made and surgical tools are guided through the small hole with the help of a camera.

Our orthopaedic hand and wrist surgeon may also use a pressure cuff on your upper arm to restrict blood flow during the procedure. This will result in less blood loss and will also give our surgeon a better view of your ligament and the surgical area.

After the surgery, your incision will be cleaned, closed with stitches, and bandaged or splinted to prevent any wrist movement while you recover.

This is an out-patient operation and you will be able to leave on the same day with only a short monitoring time in the clinic.

How long does recovery take?

Following the surgery your wrist will either be tightly bandaged or held by a splint to keep it immobile. You will need to take time off of regular work if you use your wrist a lot. You will also not be able to drive while your wrist is bandaged and you will need to arrange for transport from the clinic following your surgery.

The splint or bandage can normally be removed after two weeks. During the two weeks you will need to gently move your fingers to retain as much mobility as possible, but after removal you may still need a physical therapy programme to help you rebuild the strength and movement in your wrist and hand.

It is normal to experience pain after the surgery and this can be handled with over the counter pain medication such as paracetamol. If the pain becomes unbearable or if it worsens significantly and is accompanied by swelling, bleeding, or fever, then call us immediately as these can be signs of infection.

Full recovery can take anywhere from a few days to a few months and depends on your age, general health, and the severity of your condition. You should advise your employer of your surgery and arrange for reasonable adjustments to be made to your work or for sick leave if your work requires the use of your hand and wrist.

Why choose Summerfield Healthcare?

Summerfield Healthcare has a specialist team of hand and wrist orthopaedic surgeons who can help you return to normal life and usually recover full use of your hand.

No GP referral is required and we accept self funding and insured patients.

When you book a carpal tunnel operation with Summerfield Healthcare, you can be assured of quick appointments with an expert medical team. There is no need for a referral and you can book a virtual consultation with our specialist without the long delays often associated with the NHS.

Our orthopaedic surgeon can offer unilateral or bilateral carpal tunnel release.

Although we are a private service our fees are structured with our patients in mind. No referral is needed for our orthopaedic hand and wrist service.

How do I book?

You can quickly and easily book a consultation with our orthopaedic hand surgeon online. Alternatively, email your enquiry to [email protected] or call our reception team on 0333 9000 010. 

Summerfield Healthcare’s medical reception team are specially trained to deal with all enquiries in a professional, prompt and private manner.