Carpal Tunnel Syndrome at home and in the workplace with Mr Chris James

 

Mr Chris James, Consultant Orthopaedic Hand and Wrist Surgeon at One Ashford Hospital explains more on Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, along with treatment options available at the hospital.

 

What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?Mr Chris James, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is extremely common and affects up to 10% of the UK adult population.

It usually presents with a mixture of the following symptoms:

 

  • Numbness
  • Aching
  • Tingling
  • Weakness of the hand and fingers

 

This is due to the compression of a nerve (median nerve) at the wrist.  This compression is mainly caused by a thickening of a ligament within the hand.

 

What causes CTS?

In the majority of cases the exact cause of CTS is unknown, but it may be associated with female gender, pregnancy, increasing age, injury to the wrist and disorders such as diabetes and arthritis.  A second group of patients can present with workplace associated CTS.  This can be caused through jobs that require repetitive motion of the wrist such as typing, driving and working with tools.  These activities cause the wrist to be held in a flexed position which increases the pressure on the nerve which induces the symptoms.

Patients may have one or more of the symptoms above and these are often present during simple activities during the day such as reading, driving and cooking.  Patients will often complain of increasing symptoms at night, requiring them to sleep with their hand under a pillow, or hang the arm down.

 

How is it treated?

CTS is usually a clinical diagnosis and can be gained via assessment by an experienced clinician.  There are tests available (nerve conduction studies) when the diagnosis is unclear.  Initial treatment consists of simple measures such as:

 

  • Activity modification
  • Painkillers
  • Wrist splints
  • Steroid injections.

 

If these fail to be of significant benefit then surgery is the next step.

Carpal Tunnel Decompression is one of the commonest orthopaedic operations and has excellent success rates.  The surgery is performed under local anaesthetic (wide awake surgery) via a small incision in the palm.

 

Mr Chris James, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon

 

 

At One Ashford Hospital we offer Carpal Tunnel Decompression surgery to ease the pain and numbness in your hand caused by CTS.  Treatment is carried out on a day case basis so there is no need for an overnight stay.  

 

 

Our competitive fixed-price package is just £1,075

 

 

Why Choose One Ashford Hospital:

• Access to leading Consultants within 48 hours*
• 0% and low interest finance options**
• Competitive fixed-price packages
• Modern purpose-built hospital
• Fast access to diagnostics including MRI, X-Ray and Ultrasound
• Private, spacious, ensuite rooms
• Specialist Physiotherapy and nursing teams
• Little waiting time for surgery
• Calm, dignified experience

 

*Dependent on Consultant availability
**Terms and conditions apply