Carpal tunnel syndrome happens when the median nerve in your wrist becomes compressed. This can cause tingling, numbness, pain, or weakness in your hand and fingers, especially at night or when using your hand.

• Tingling or “pins and needles” in the thumb, index, and middle fingers
• Numbness, especially at night
• Hand weakness or difficulty gripping objects
• Pain in the hand or wrist that can spread up the arm

It can be related to repetitive hand use, pregnancy, arthritis, or sometimes no clear cause at all. Anything that increases pressure in the wrist can contribute.

No. Many people find relief with wrist splints, activity changes, or steroid injections. Surgery is usually recommended if symptoms are severe, persistent, or interfering with daily life.

It is £900 for surgery. You will need to have an Initial Consultation Appointment with Mr Bhat at a cost of £230 prior to this to determine if surgery is the right next step.

When you are seen in a hospital for this procedure there are more running costs involved including the cost of the theatre and all the staff that run it. Since COVID, a new approach has been taken with this surgery and it is now possible to do this in a clinic setting with Mr Bhat and one assistant. Mr Bhat has treated around 300 patients with this new method.

The surgeon makes a small incision in the palm or wrist and releases the ligament that is pressing on the median nerve. This relieves the pressure and helps symptoms improve.

The procedure usually takes 15–30 minutes. It is a walk-in/walk-out procedure.

Our carpal tunnel operation is done under local anaesthetic, so your hand and wrist are numbed but you remain awake.

No. Carpal tunnel surgery is a day case procedure, so you go home the same day.

• Light activities: usually within a few days
• Stitches: dissolvable, invisible stitches are normally used
• Driving: usually after 1–2 weeks (once you feel safe to control the wheel)
• Heavier use or manual work: may take 4–6 weeks
• Full strength: often returns over several weeks to a few months

Some people benefit from hand exercises or physiotherapy to restore movement and strength, though many recover well without formal therapy. Seeing our Hand Therapist in your follow-up appointment will ensure you can discuss these options.

Yes you will have a follow-up appointment. This will be with one of Mr Bhat's Hand Therapists. An appointment will be made for you at the end of the surgical appointment.

Risks are low, but may include infection, stiffness, tenderness around the scar, or persistent numbness if the nerve was badly compressed before surgery.

The majority of patients notice significant improvement or complete relief from symptoms. In advanced cases, some numbness may remain, but surgery generally stops the condition getting worse.

If both hands are affected, surgery may be done on one hand at a time. Your surgeon will advise what’s best for you.

No. You can book directly with our clinic for assessment and treatment.

Use the 'Book now' to make your initial consultation with Mr Bhat, this can be in person or virtually. Following this meeting, Mr Bhat will confirm the next steps and how to book the surgery, if required.