Carpal Tunnel Release

FAQ

• What is a carpal tunnel surgery?

  At the Coppergate Clinic, we perform carpal tunnel release for the alleviation of carpal tunnel syndrome.

  This condition occurs when there is pressure on a nerve in your wrist. It can cause tingling, numbness, and pain in your hands and fingers, causing a lot of discomfort.

• how is the procedure carried out?

  Prior to having your carpal tunnel treatment, you will receive a detailed consultation with a consultant plastic surgeon. During this consultation, your surgeon will discuss any potential problems, desired improvements, options available, and expected outcomes.

  Should the carpal tunnel syndrome treatment be agreed upon as the most suitable treatment, the procedure will be carried out by your surgeon in our newly refurbished operating theatre.

  After the hand has been carefully examined and the wrist marked, a local anaesthetic is gently given to numb the skin. A small incision is made in the wrist skin and the ligament overlying the nerve is carefully divided, thus allowing the nerve to sit in a more relaxed space. A couple of dissolving stitches are placed and bandages applied.

• how does the procedure feel?

  The carpal tunnel surgery is performed under local anaesthetic to ensure the patient’s total comfort for the duration of the procedure.

• what results should I expect?

  If this condition is treated early enough, the results are excellent and the symptoms settle quickly with full recovery of sensation expected. With more severe or prolonged entrapment, full recovery is less likely, however symptoms usually improve following surgery.

• Will the area be painful after surgery?

  It is usual to experience some mild discomfort after carpal tunnel treatment, but this will settle as normal healing progresses.

• is there any downtime?

  The dressings remain in place for 7-10 days. It is important to try and keep the hand gently elevated. Simple hand opening and closing exercises may be performed to prevent stiffness developing.