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Carpal tunnel surgery
- No.1 in London for private orthopaedic care
- 97% of orthopaedic patients rate our care ‘very good’ or ‘excellent’
- Appointments confirmed within 24 hours
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CARPAL TUNNEL SURGERY AT HCA UK
Why choose us?
Gain fast access to highly specialist orthopaedic care from our leading private hospitals and outpatient centres. With experts across 10 specialist fields and dedicated hand and wrist specialists, we can tailor your treatment to your specific needs.
Our consultants use the latest imaging technology to accurately diagnose your injury or condition and recommend the most effective course of treatment. Whether you need rehabilitation or highly specialised surgery, we’re here to get you back to your daily life as quickly and safely as possible. No wonder 97% of our orthopaedic patients say they’d recommend HCA UK to family and friends.
Our consultants use the latest imaging technology to accurately diagnose your injury or condition and recommend the most effective course of treatment. Whether you need rehabilitation or highly specialised surgery, we’re here to get you back to your daily life as quickly and safely as possible. No wonder 97% of our orthopaedic patients say they’d recommend HCA UK to family and friends.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition involving pressure on the median nerve that controls sensation and movement in your wrist and hand. This nerve passes through the carpal tunnel in the wrist and sits between the bones and a thick fibrous ligament.
Carpal tunnel surgery can relieve pain, numbness, tingling and improve dexterity. It’s a good idea to seek advice before symptoms become severe and start to affect your ability to carry out everyday activities. Surgery can also prevent the longer-term nerve damage that can occur if left too late.
Carpal tunnel surgery can relieve pain, numbness, tingling and improve dexterity. It’s a good idea to seek advice before symptoms become severe and start to affect your ability to carry out everyday activities. Surgery can also prevent the longer-term nerve damage that can occur if left too late.
There is often no clear cause for carpal tunnel syndrome, but some of the risk factors that can increase the chances of developing the condition include:
- Inflammation caused by repetitive movements, degenerative conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, or hormonal changes
- A narrow carpal tunnel, more commonly seen in women
- Previous hand or wrist injuries
- Type 2 diabetes or thyroid problems
The main benefits of surgery 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 passed.
Carpal tunnel release surgery is safe and the risks are low compared to other operations. Your surgeon will discuss any potential complications with you, including:
- Infection or bleeding associated with the wound
- Nerve damage 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.
No.1
in London for private orthopaedic care
10
specialist orthopaedic fields offering personalised treatment
97%
of our patients are likely to recommend us to family and friends
Fast access to specialists
appointments bookable online or by phone
Expert orthopaedic treatments
from specialist hand and wrist consultants
State-of-the-art diagnostics
with results in as little as 48 hours
Your carpal tunnel surgery with HCA UK
What to expect
From the moment you step through the door, until you’re ready to leave, we want you to feel as comfortable as possible. We do this by letting you know what to expect at each stage.
If you have any questions that aren’t answered here or in the FAQ section below, please contact your patient support team or clinical nurse specialist who will be able to help.
If you have any questions that aren’t answered here or in the FAQ section below, please contact your patient support team or clinical nurse specialist who will be able to help.
01
Initial physio session
Whether you’ve self-referred, or you have a referral from a GP, the first session will usually be with one of our physiotherapists so they can examine you, find out more about your symptoms, answer any questions you may have and assess your needs.
We recommend you explore non-surgical treatments before considering surgery, including:
- A night-time splint to prevent wrist movement and reduce nerve compression
- Steroid injections as an anti-inflammatory treatment for symptom relief
02
Referral to an orthopaedic consultant
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.
03
Tests and scans
Your consultant will usually request all the relevant scans and imaging, if they haven’t been done recently, to help identify the cause of any pain or swelling. They will then discuss the options with you, including surgery or other treatment.
04
Your procedure
Carpal tunnel release surgery is a day case operation so you won’t need 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.
Your surgeon will make a small incision on your palm to carefully open the roof of the carpal tunnel and remove the pressure on the nerve.
Your surgeon will make a small incision on your palm to carefully open the roof of the carpal tunnel and remove the pressure on the nerve.
05
Follow-up and ongoing care
You may initially have pain, swelling and stiffness, but you can use your hand and do light activities from the day after your surgery.
It's important to ensure the wound area stays clean and dry until the skin has fully healed. Your consultant will explain how to support 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. Your consultant will let you know when you can get back to your usual routine. You might be offered hand therapy to help strengthen your wrist.
Full recovery can take a few weeks to a few months, depending on the severity of the condition. After the recovery period, you can expect to experience good relief from your symptoms.
It's important to ensure the wound area stays clean and dry until the skin has fully healed. Your consultant will explain how to support 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. Your consultant will let you know when you can get back to your usual routine. You might be offered hand therapy to help strengthen your wrist.
Full recovery can take a few weeks to a few months, depending on the severity of the condition. After the recovery period, you can expect to experience good relief from your symptoms.
Locations
Across our extensive network of hospitals and treatment centres, our leading consultants are here to support you, from initial consultation through to aftercare. You can have your carpal tunnel surgery at the following locations:
The Lister Hospital
Chelsea Bridge Road SW1W 8RH London
London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street SE1 2PR London
The Wilmslow Hospital
52-54 Alderley Road Wilmslow SK9 1NY Cheshire
Accessing private healthcare
Self-pay
You don’t need health insurance to be seen quickly. If you’re looking for a diagnosis or treatment and don’t want to wait, all our private healthcare services – from private GP appointments through to surgery and aftercare – can be paid for as and when you need them.
And to give you peace of mind from the start, we’ll offer you a clear and transparent quote outlining exactly what treatments you’re paying for.
Find out more
Carpal tunnel surgery FAQs
Symptoms can vary in severity but include numbness or tingling in the thumb, fingers and wrist. You may be experiencing weakness, dull aches, difficulty gripping, dropping objects or struggling to write.
These symptoms can be present all the time or come and go. They’re often worse at night or first thing in the morning and sometimes worsen when performing repetitive tasks. The symptoms can extend to the arm or shoulder or affect both hands.
These symptoms can be present all the time or come and go. They’re often worse at night or first thing in the morning and sometimes worsen when performing repetitive tasks. The symptoms can extend to the arm or shoulder or affect both hands.
Your consultant will explain the procedure and give you details of how to prepare. They will also answer any questions you may have. 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 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.
Again, your consultant will let you know when you can get back to your usual routine.
Patient stories
Andy’s story: Keeping his music alive after his thumb surgery
After being diagnosed with arthritis by his doctor, Andy was referred to Mr Mark Phillips, a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at London Bridge Hospital, part of HCA Healthcare UK.
How game-changing hip surgery helped Joanna get back to her best
For Joanna, a competitive rower in the Masters division, the sport is more than a passion – it's a way of life. At 60 years old, Joanna’s career spans 20 years, and has been marked by intense training sessions, competitive races, and unwavering determination. However, when a nagging pain in her right hip developed into something altogether more debilitating, it threatened to put the brakes on her rowing.
An Olympian effort: Chris’ fast-track to recovery
When Chris was told the surgery he needed on his shoulder would likely make him unable to compete professionally in 2023, Chris dug deep into those reserves and hoped he could excel once more.
“Our hands are essential for so many everyday tasks. Using your hands is something you don't fully appreciate until you're in pain or you can't use one.”
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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.