Top carpal tunnel surgeons in Birmingham

What is carpal tunnel syndrome?

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) develops when the median nerve in your wrist is compressed. This – along with others – is a nerve that controls feeling and movement in the hands.

The median nerve travels through the carpal tunnel, a narrow passage in the wrist made up of small bones and soft tissue. This acts as a pulley for the tendons that bend the fingers.

Whether you’re looking for private hand and wrist surgery or NHS treatment for your carpal tunnel syndrome, our Birmingham hospital is ready to help.

Causes of carpal tunnel syndrome

Perhaps surprisingly, the causes of carpal tunnel syndrome are fairly mysterious. Despite this though, the following are thought to be contributing factors:

• a family history of carpal tunnel syndrome
• injury to the wrist
• pregnancy
• conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes
• repetitive use of the hand(s).

Common symptoms and when to seek help

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a relatively common hand condition. Patients typically report symptoms in the thumb, index, middle, and half of the ring finger. Discomfort can be particularly evident at night.

Symptoms can include:

• numbness and tingling
• weakness in the thumb
• dull ache in the hand or arm
• discomfort, especially at night
• sensitivity to touch.

Choosing the best carpal tunnel surgeon in Birmingham

Choosing the best carpal tunnel surgeons in Birmingham doesn’t have to be stressful. After all, that’s why we’re here!

There are a few things to bear in mind however. Like remembering to trust your instincts and choose a consultant that makes you feel confident and cared for.

All of our consultants are registered, approved, and experienced. You can search by language, treatment, and location on our website to find the right one for you.

What to look for in a hand and wrist specialist

Looking for the best hand and wrist specialist for you is a very similar experience to being on the lookout for any other type of consultant. When choosing a consultant for your surgery, things like consultant experience, expertise, and qualifications should always be high on the list. Reading about the experiences of past patients can be a powerful way of gaining valuable insight, while it makes sense to do your due diligence around hospital safety information.

Meet your Birmingham carpal tunnel surgeon

Enough chat! It’s time to introduce you to our team! Take a look at the spotlight section below to learn more about our featured consultant or cycle through the carousel for more on who’s available.

Consultant profile

Name: Kenan Dehne

Qualifications:
– CCST (UK) in Trauma and orthopaedic Surgery, 2018
– Member of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh
– Master of Surgery in Trauma and Orthopaedics, 2004

Specialities:
– Hip surgery
– Knee surgery
– Hand and wrist surgery

Quote: “Life is motion and motion is life.”

Review: “He truly is a great surgeon cannot praise him enough or thank him enough for the surgery on my knee, thank you Mr Dehne.”
– Lesley Cockerill, knee surgery patient, Practice Plus Group Hospital

Questions to ask before booking a consultation

It might be a good idea to take the following list of questions into your consultation. Just remember to ask them!

• How much experience do you have treating my specific condition?
• What are the risks and benefits of the procedure?
• Are there any diagnostic tests or treatments needed?
• What are the potential costs of consultation and follow-up care?
• Do you work with my health insurance provider?
• What is your typical availability for appointments?
• What can I expect during recovery?
• Are there alternative treatments available?

Remember, your consultation is your time. Feel free to ask any question you want about your care, treatment, and what you can expect from your experience at Practice Plus Group Hospital, Birmingham.

Treatment options for carpal tunnel syndrome in Birmingham

While we (admittedly) put a focus on surgery, there are other methods of treating carpal tunnel syndrome. Take a look below at what’s on offer at our Birmingham hospital.

Non-surgical treatments: wrist splints and steroid injections

Carpal tunnel syndrome surgery is usually considered when non-surgical treatments, such as exercises, wearing wrist splints, or steroid injections haven’t alleviated or improved symptoms or hand function.

When surgery is recommended

Surgery is typically recommended when non-surgical treatments prove ineffective. Its aim is to relieve pain and should also be considered if your symptoms persist, worsen, or affect your daily activities.

What to expect from carpal tunnel surgery

Carpal tunnel surgery in Birmingham doesn’t take as long as you might think. In fact, the surgery itself only lasts for around 20 minutes – about the same amount of time as an episode of The Simpsons!

How carpal tunnel surgery is performed

During this type of surgery, the carpal ligament (the roof of the carpal tunnel) is cut. This is to relieve pressure on the median nerve in the wrist. In most cases, surgery can solve the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Recovery timeline and return to work

Before we get into the details, it’s important to remember that everyone heals at different rates. If you’re waiting to have your carpal tunnel surgery it’s definitely worth spending a few moments of your time reading the following blogs:

• Before and after carpal tunnel surgery – the benefits
• Carpal tunnel surgery recovery time

You can start to use your hand and wrist for light duties provided there is no pain or discomfort. It is recommended that you avoid using your hand and wrist for any strenuous activities such as heavy lifting for at least six weeks after carpal tunnel surgery.

Your recovery timeline may look something like this:

• On the day of your surgery – return home
• One – two days – you should be able to gently move your fingers
• Two weeks – stitches are removed
• Three weeks – by now you should be able to return to work (role dependant)
• One month – get back to your everyday activities
• Three months – most people will have made a full recovery.

Leading clinics and hospitals for carpal tunnel surgery in Birmingham

Birmingham is home to a wide range of private hospitals and clinics but not all offer treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome. That’s where we come in! At our Birmingham hospital, we provide private and NHS care for patients struggling with hand and wrist issues.

Typical costs of carpal tunnel surgery in Birmingham

So, you can access private carpal tunnel surgery with Wellsoon at Practice Plus Group Hospital, Birmingham. Great. How much is it going to cost you?

Well, a private consultation (which you’ll need before surgery is recommended) costs £95. If surgery is needed, this will cost £2,249.

Insurance and self-pay options explained

At Practice Plus Group Hospital, Birmingham, you can only access carpal tunnel surgery near you as a private patient. You can do this the following ways:

Paying for yourself
For those wishing to pay for themselves, this is done either via a one-off lump sum or by spreading the cost using a payment plan. Surgery payment plans are available over 12 months at 0%. Longer-term options are also available from 24-60 months at 14.9% APR.

Private health insurance
Patients with existing private medical insurance will need to first check their policy covers the procedure before booking keyhole carpal tunnel surgery.

Please note that keyhole carpal tunnel surgery is not available via the NHS.