RELEASE. RELIEVE. RECOVER.
Nerve compression causing pain, tingling, and weakening grip, and a surgical release that treats the cause when other treatments have not worked.
ABOUT THIS CONDITION & TREATMENT
The carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway on the palm side of the wrist, formed by bones and ligaments. Running through it is the median nerve, one of the main nerves in the hand, responsible for sensation in the thumb, index, middle, and part of the ring finger, as well as the movement of several muscles at the base of the thumb. When pressure builds up inside this tunnel and compresses the nerve, carpal tunnel syndrome develops.
Pressure can accumulate for a number of reasons: rheumatoid arthritis, previous wrist injury, fluid retention during pregnancy, repetitive hand and wrist movements, or simply the anatomy of a narrow tunnel. The result is a set of symptoms (tingling, numbness, night pain, and eventually weakness and loss of grip) that worsens if left untreated. In some cases, splinting and anti-inflammatory medication provide sufficient relief. When they do not, or when nerve damage has already begun, surgery is the most effective solution.
The surgery, carpal tunnel release, is one of the most commonly performed hand operations. It relieves pressure on the median nerve by cutting the ligament that forms the roof of the tunnel, widening it and removing the compression. If you suspect you have carpal tunnel syndrome, early assessment and treatment consistently delivers better outcomes than waiting for symptoms to progress.
DO YOU RECOGNISE THIS?
Carpal tunnel syndrome follows a recognisable pattern. The sooner it is identified, the better the outcome from treatment.
EARLY SIGN
Tingling, burning or pins and needles in the thumb, index, middle, and ring finger, often the first symptom that appears. It typically comes and goes initially, triggered by activities that flex or extend the wrist repeatedly, and is frequently worse after prolonged use of the hand.
COMMON PATTERN
Symptoms are frequently worse at night, often waking patients with burning pain or numbness in the hand. Many patients instinctively hang their hand over the side of the bed or shake it to relieve the sensation. This is a classic feature of carpal tunnel syndrome.
LATER STAGE
As compression of the median nerve progresses, grip strength weakens and fine motor tasks become more difficult. Patients describe dropping objects, struggling with buttons or jars, or noticing the thumb muscle wasting (flattening of the pad at the base of the thumb). This stage indicates significant nerve damage that requires prompt treatment.
PROCEDURE AT A GLANCE
A short, well-established procedure with a straightforward recovery.
Procedure Time
Anaesthesia
Hospital Stay
First Follow-up
Return to Light Work
The exact surgical approach is determined at consultation, after an examination and a discussion of the options.
RECOVERY TIMELINE
Days 1–7
The hand is dressed after surgery and kept dry. Many patients notice an improvement in tingling and night symptoms almost immediately after the procedure. Your first follow-up is one week post-surgery to review the wound and remove any sutures.
Weeks 2–4
Most patients return to light work and daily activity within 2–4 weeks depending on recovery progress. Some tenderness in the palm at the scar site is normal during this period and gradually settles over the following weeks.
Months 1–3
Grip strength and fine hand function improve progressively. The rate and degree of recovery depends on how long the nerve was compressed before surgery. Earlier treatment is usually followed by a faster, more complete recovery. Physiotherapy is occasionally recommended to support this phase.
Months 3–4+
Most patients achieve full or near-full recovery by 3–4 months. Return to moderately heavy physical work and activities involving sustained grip is typically possible at this stage. Final outcomes continue to improve as the nerve fully recovers from the compression it has been under.
WHAT TO EXPECT
The degree of recovery depends on the severity and duration of nerve compression before surgery, but most patients experience significant improvement:
WHY SURGICAL TREATMENT
Splints and anti-inflammatories manage symptoms without addressing the underlying compression. Surgery physically widens the tunnel and removes pressure from the nerve, so it treats the cause rather than the symptoms.
Many patients notice a reduction in tingling and night symptoms within days of surgery as the nerve begins to decompress and recover. For some, the change is felt almost immediately on waking from the procedure.
Carpal tunnel release takes around 30 minutes under local anaesthetic. No overnight stay, no general anaesthetic, and patients go home the same day.
The degree of nerve recovery after surgery is directly related to how long the compression has been present. Earlier surgery, before significant nerve damage occurs, consistently delivers more complete results with faster recovery.
MAKING THE DECISION
Not everyone with carpal tunnel syndrome needs surgery. Mild cases, particularly those with intermittent symptoms that have not been present long, are often managed effectively with a wrist splint worn at night, anti-inflammatory medication, or a corticosteroid injection directly into the carpal tunnel. These approaches reduce inflammation and relieve pressure on the nerve, sometimes providing sustained relief.
Surgery becomes the right answer when conservative measures have failed or provided only temporary relief, when symptoms are severe enough to significantly affect function or sleep, or when nerve conduction studies show evidence of nerve damage. At this point, continuing to manage symptoms without addressing the compression risks permanent nerve injury that surgery can no longer fully reverse.
Clear Indicators for Surgery
THE OPERATION DEMYSTIFIED
The operation is performed under local anaesthetic, meaning the hand is completely numb but you are awake throughout. A tourniquet is applied to the upper arm to reduce bleeding and give the surgeon a clear field of view. A small incision is made in the palm at the base of the wrist.
Through this incision, the transverse carpal ligament (the thick band of tissue that forms the roof of the carpal tunnel) is divided. Cutting this ligament widens the tunnel immediately, relieving pressure on the median nerve. The incision is closed with sutures and dressed. The whole procedure typically takes around 30 minutes. You go home the same day.
WHEN TO SEEK TREATMENT
If any of the following apply, it is worth seeking a surgical assessment without delay, as earlier treatment tends to give a better recovery:
EXPLORE FURTHER
A full range of hand surgery available with Prof. Hindocha.
HAND SURGERY
Compression of the ulnar nerve at the elbow causing pain, tingling and weakness.
HAND SURGERY
A finger that catches, locks or clicks when bent, caused by inflammation of the tendon sheath.
HAND SURGERY
Progressive thickening of the tissue beneath the palm causing fingers to curl inward.
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★★★★★
After years of being unhappy with my breasts after breastfeeding, I'm so glad I trusted my instincts and waited until I found the right surgeon. From my first consultation, Professor Hindocha made me feel completely at ease and I knew I could trust him. I'm only a week post-op and already love my results. I feel incredibly lucky to have found him and truly believe I found the best surgeon.
K.N.
Breast surgery patient
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Consultation and surgery
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Consultation to aftercare
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Patient stories describe individual experiences. Results vary from person to person, and the risks, limitations and likely outcome of any procedure are discussed with you at consultation.
ACT EARLY FOR THE BEST OUTCOME
A prompt assessment changes your outcome.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is treatable, but the degree of nerve recovery after surgery is strongly influenced by how long compression has been present. If your symptoms are affecting your sleep, your work, or your daily life, the time to seek an assessment is now.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Everything patients typically want to know before their appointment.
