Carpal Tunnel Surgery

How To Prepare For Carpal Tunnel Surgery

Carpal tunnel syndrome surgery is a one-day procedure. This means there is very little required of you in terms of preparation. You will have the surgery and be allowed home on the same day, meaning there is no need to pack an overnight bag.

It’s a good idea to remove any jewellery from your hands and wrists before you arrive for your operation. It’s also important to remember that you won’t be able to drive after the surgery, so make sure you make travel arrangements for going home.

Your doctor should be able to advise of any other preparations you need to make ahead of your carpal tunnel surgery. For example, you may need to stop taking certain medications in the days leading up to the operation. This can include anticoagulant medicines, otherwise known as blood thinning medication.

What Happens During Carpal Tunnel Surgery?

In order to have carpal tunnel surgery, you will be asked to lie on your back with your arm stretched out, resting it on a special operating board. You may have a tourniquet wrapped around the top of your arm. This is a tight cuff that will stop the blood flow in your arm during the operation.

You will be given a local anaesthetic injection. This will numb the area, ensuring you don’t feel any discomfort during the procedure. You may feel some pressure, but you should not feel any pain. If you start to feel any pain during the operation, you must let your surgeon know. The anaesthetic can be topped up if needed.

There are two ways in which carpal tunnel surgery can be carried out. These are open surgery and endoscopic surgery, otherwise known as keyhole surgery.

Open Surgery

During open surgery, your surgeon will create an incision at the bottom of your palm then divide the carpal ligament using a knife by widening the carpal tunnel to relieve pressure. The cut is then closed with stitches.

Endoscopic (Keyhole) Surgery

During keyhole surgery, a very small incision is made on the skin near to the carpal tunnel, then a tiny camera, known as an endoscope, is inserted into the cut which enables the surgeon to see inside your wrist and hand. The carpal ligament is then cut. Keyhole surgery causes very little damage to the skin and tissue.

You will be able to discuss which surgery technique is right for you with your doctor.

What Happens After Carpal Tunnel Surgery?

It’s likely you may feel some discomfort as the local anaesthetic wears off after your operation. You may find that taking over-the-counter painkillers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, can help alleviate any pain. It may take several hours for the feeling in your wrist and hand to return back to normal.

Your hand will be dressed with a bandage to help protect and support it, and you should try to keep this clean and dry, especially when bathing.

Ideally, you should keep your arm elevated as much as possible, and you should wriggle your fingers and clench your fist regularly. This will keep the blood flowing, and reduce any stiffness and swelling.

Following your surgery, you should be able to go home when you feel ready. You will be given aftercare advice on how to care for your wound while it heals.

Recovering From Carpal Tunnel Surgery

How long it takes you to recover from surgery will depend on your overall health and the severity of your carpal tunnel syndrome, but generally speaking, it can take between six and 12 weeks to make a full recovery. It’s normal to feel some pain in the days and weeks following the procedure, and you can take over-the-counter painkillers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, to help relieve this discomfort.

You may find that you feel pain around your wound, or when you put pressure on the affected hand. Other common post-surgery discomfort can include swelling, stiffness, tenderness, lumpy or pink scarring, and a weak grip.

You should be able to remove your bandage within a few days, but it’s important to ensure that you keep your wound clean and dry until the stitches have dissolved or been removed.

It may be necessary to take some time off work following your surgery, and you should take extra care when carrying out daily tasks. As time goes on, you should find that you’re able to do all of the activities you did prior to your carpal tunnel surgery.

Complications Of Carpal Tunnel Surgery

The majority of people who choose to have carpal tunnel surgery do not experience any complications. However, although its rare, this procedure carries the following risks:

• Infection of your wound
• Haematoma (bleeding under the skin)
• Nerve damage in the wrist
• A numbing sensation or weakness in the hand
• Tenderness, discomfort or pain around the scar which can continue for months or years
• Bowstringing of the tendons (tendons that pop out when extended or flexed)
• Complex regional pain syndrome (a chronic long-term condition which causes the hand to become swollen and sensitive to touch)

While this procedure can be effective in alleviating the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome, there is a small risk that your symptoms may continue. In this case, further surgery may be required.

Why Choose Us

You can trust Manchester Private Hospital when it comes to carpal tunnel surgery. We are proud of our team of highly qualified and skilled surgeons, doctors and nurses, and we treat all of our patients with the utmost care and respect every step of the way. We’re here for you from your first consultation, during your procedure and right up to the moment you’re ready to go home. We also provide high quality aftercare.

Our patients travel from all over the UK to undergo procedures by our team of expert medical professionals. We put your health, safety and comfort at the forefront of what we do, meaning you can relax in the knowledge that you’re in safe hands.

We offer free consultations for carpal tunnel surgery with absolutely no obligation. Simply get in touch to find out how we can help you feel your best.