Carpal tunnel syndrome surgery at Spire Alexandra Hospital

At Spire Alexandra Hospital, we offer a comprehensive range of treatments to patients in Medway and the surrounding areas of Kent and the South East. Our highly skilled surgeons have wide experience in performing carpal tunnel release surgery. We provide fast access to diagnostic tests, scans and treatment, with expert aftercare that’s designed to help you get back to normal as soon as possible.

At Spire Alexandra Hospital, our consultants have extensive experience of performing carpal tunnel release surgery in our clean, modern facilities.

As well as traditional open release carpal tunnel surgery, we also offer minimally invasive techniques. These have been developed to help you heal faster but may not be suitable for everybody. If your surgeon thinks it’s right for you, they may perform:

• Endoscopic release – a camera is used to see inside your wrist so one or two smaller incisions can be used
• Ultra-minimally invasive release – your transverse carpal ligament is severed using a thread which is looped around the ligament using needles (and ultrasound to guide your consultant), so no surgical incision is required
• Percutaneous release – a minimally invasive technique using ultrasound to guide your consultant instead of a camera

Getting here

You'll find us approximately eight miles from Maidstone and five miles from Chatham. The nearest railway station is Chatham, a 10 minute taxi journey away.

There’s free on-site parking for you and your visitors.

Your consultations

Once you’ve made an enquiry, we’ll be able to arrange your first appointment within a few days.

You’ll be able to meet one of our experienced surgeons in a private consultation room. They’ll ask you about your symptoms and medical history and take a look at your wrist. You’ll have a chance to ask any questions about surgery and discuss:

• Any further tests you may need such as a nerve conduction test or an ultrasound scan
• Other treatments you could try before you decide on surgery, such as painkillers or wrist splints
• What the procedure involves, including the anaesthetic (which is usually local)
• Any risks and complications and how these might affect you

The operation takes around 20 minutes and you’ll be able to go home on the same day.

When you arrive for surgery:

• You’ll meet your surgical team and anaesthetist
• You’ll have a local anaesthetic (so you’ll be awake but won’t feel any pain)
• Your surgeon will make a small incision and then cut through the ligament that lies across the front of your wrist – they’ll use the technique you agreed during your consultation

Everyone’s different, so how long it takes to recover from your surgery will depend on your general health and how severe your carpal tunnel syndrome is.

Your consultant will be able to tell you more about your expected recovery, but here’s a typical recovery timeline for carpal tunnel surgery: