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If you’re dealing with hand and wrist pain and considering carpal tunnel surgery in Birmingham, you probably have a lot of questions. But don’t worry – you’re not alone! While carpal tunnel syndrome can be a frustrating and painful condition, the good news is that surgery can provide some much-needed relief.
We’ve put together this handy guide to walk you through everything you need to know, from understanding the condition to what to expect before, during, and after your surgery.
Birmingham carpal tunnel surgery at a glance
- Waiting time: 4-6 weeks
- Cost: £2,049
- Ways to pay: self-pay and insured
- Hospital stay: same-day recovery
- Procedure time: 10-20 minutes
What is carpal tunnel syndrome?
Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve, which runs from your forearm into the palm of your hand, becomes compressed at the wrist. This pressure can result from repetitive hand movements, wrist injuries, rheumatoid arthritis, or conditions like diabetes.
Carpal tunnel symptoms can include:
- numbness
- tingling
- pain in the hand and fingers1.
If left untreated, it can even lead to weakness and loss of function.
When should you consider surgery?
Carpal tunnel syndrome surgery is usually considered when non-surgical treatments, such as exercises, wrist splints, or steroid injections haven’t provided enough relief. If your symptoms are persistent, worsening, or affecting your daily activities, it might be time to think about surgery.
Did you know?
Open carpal tunnel release is one of the most common hand surgeries in the UK with around 53,000 operations carried out each year3.
Where to get carpal tunnel in Birmingham?
Birmingham has a range of excellent private hospitals and clinics that offer carpal tunnel surgery. These will all have their pros and cons (such as waiting lists and costs) depending on their location and whether they’re NHS or private facilities.
That’s where we come in! Practice Plus Group Hospital, Birmingham is located in Edgbaston, a well-known residential area around three miles southwest of Birmingham city centre. The hospital is conveniently located and accessible by various transportation options.
Our full address is:
22 Somerset Road,
Birmingham,
B15 2QQ,
UK
The cost of carpal tunnel in Birmingham
At Practice Plus Group Hospital, Birmingham – previously named The Edgbaston Hospital – we offer high quality, consultant-delivered care without the unnecessary extras.
Right now and throughout your treatment (should you choose to have it with us), there are two costs to consider:
- £95 for your initial consultation
- £2,049 for your carpal tunnel surgery
To give you an idea of what private carpal tunnel surgery costs in the Birmingham area, the table below features some comparisons with other providers:
| Healthcare provider | Consultation fee | Price of carpal tunnel surgery | Total cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Practice Plus Group | £95 | £2,049 | £2,144 |
| Nuffield Health | from £150 | £2,580 | £2,730 |
| Spire Healthcare | from £200 | £3,170 | £3,370 |
What’s included?
With Practice Plus Group, the price you see is the price you pay. This includes any basic tests you might need in the initial consultation to diagnose your condition. It will also cover any necessary post-op medication.
Paying for yourself
You can pay for yourself in a one-off transaction. The main benefit of opting for this route is access to fast healthcare. At Practice Plus Group Hospital, Birmingham, the waiting time from your initial consultation to your surgery is just 4-6 weeks.
Using private health insurance
Some private health insurance plans may cover part or all of the costs associated with your carpal tunnel surgery. Check if your healthcare insurance provider is featured on our list of approved insurance providers.
Finance options
As part of our commitment to making healthcare more accessible, we’ve introduced finance options that allow you to spread the cost of your treatment over time.
Carpal tunnel syndrome surgery waiting times in Birmingham
At Practice Plus Group, the average waiting time for carpal tunnel surgery is just 4-6 weeks from your initial consultation.
Find the best carpal tunnel surgeons in Birmingham
When choosing a surgeon in Birmingham, look for someone who specialises in hand or orthopaedic surgery and who regularly performs carpal tunnel procedures. It’s always a good idea to check patient reviews and seek recommendations from your GP or other healthcare providers.
Use the buttons on each side of the carousel below to learn more about our Birmingham-based carpal tunnel consultants.
What to expect at Practice Plus Group Hospital, Birmingham
We’ve looked at what carpal tunnel syndrome is and given you an idea of the cost of surgery. Now it’s time to find out what happens when you choose to have your treatment with us.
Hand and wrist treatments offered
At Practice Plus Group Hospital, Birmingham we offer the following treatments:
- Carpal tunnel syndrome surgery and treatment
- Dupuytren’s contracture release
- Ganglion cyst removal
- Trapeziectomy
- Dupuytren’s fasciectomy revision
- Fascia surgery
- Palmar fasciectomy
- Ganglion cyst aspiration
- Surgical pin removal
- Tendon repair
- Tenolysis surgery
- Injection in clinic or theatre.
Who is accepted for treatment?
Any patient in need of our services is welcome. This is regardless of location, existing health conditions, and as long as it’s safe for us to treat you.
Preparing for hand surgery
Your consultation appointment is an opportunity for you to meet the consultant who will perform your treatment. Feel free to ask any questions you wish – you may even want to write these down ahead of your appointment. Your consultant will explain any special preparations you may need to make before your treatment.
On the day of your surgery, wear something light and comfortable, so you’re as relaxed as possible.
If you’re staying with us overnight, you may want to bring the following:
- personal toiletries
- nightclothes
- comfortable footwear
- something to read
- any medication you routinely take.
Getting here
If you’re arriving by car, we are located in the centre of Birmingham off the M6 motorway. Follow the signs for the A38/Aston Expressway where the hospital is clearly signposted. There is plenty of free on-site parking at the hospital. When you arrive please register at reception so we know you’re here. A member of staff will collect you for your appointment.
For those arriving on the train, Birmingham New Street Station is a 10 minute taxi ride away.
During the surgery
Carpal tunnel surgery is usually a straightforward procedure that can be done on an outpatient basis. This means you’ll go home on the same day. There are two main types of surgery:
- Open release surgery: the surgeon makes a small incision in your palm and cuts the carpal ligament to relieve pressure on the median nerve
- Endoscopic surgery: the surgeon makes one or two smaller incisions and uses a tiny camera to guide the cutting of the ligament. This method may result in a quicker recovery with less scarring.
Both procedures typically take about 10 to 20 minutes. You’ll be given a local anaesthetic to numb the area, so you won’t feel any pain during the surgery.
Carpal tunnel recovery
Most patients experience significant improvement in carpal tunnel pain, numbness, and hand function after surgery. For many, the results are long-lasting, allowing them to return to work, hobbies, and daily activities without discomfort.
After the surgery, your hand will be bandaged, and you may experience some pain, swelling and stiffness. This is normal and should improve over the next few days. Your surgeon will likely recommend some exercises to help restore movement and strength to your hand.
You’ll definitely need to take it easy for a few weeks. Avoid heavy lifting and repetitive hand movements until your hand has fully healed. Most people can return to light activities within a week or two but, depending on your job and lifestyle, full recovery from carpal tunnel surgery may take a few months.
Your surgeon will schedule a follow-up appointment to check on your progress and remove any stitches if needed. They’ll also assess your hand function and advise you on when you can resume normal activities.
It’s important to keep up with any recommended exercises and follow your surgeon’s advice to ensure the best possible outcome from your surgery.
Potential complications and side effects
Carpal tunnel surgery is generally very successful, but like any surgery, it does carry some risks. These can range from infection, scarring or nerve damage. Your surgeon will help you understand these risks and determine whether surgery is the best option for you.
Why choose our Birmingham hospital for your treatment?
At Practice Plus Group Hospital, Birmingham, we strive to deliver the highest standards of care for NHS and private patients alike.
One of the benefits of being treated at our hospital is the ‘one-stop-service’ of your outpatient appointment. Where possible we will complete any pre-treatment tests there and then, to save you making multiple trips. It’s also highly likely that our anaesthetists and rehabilitation team will assess you at the same time.
- Our hospital has 29 individual bedrooms with ensuite facilities
- We have free Wi-Fi access for patients and visitors
- All areas of our hospital are accessible to wheelchair users
- Our patient information is available in a range of languages and in large print on request
- We have an interpretation service available to support you if English is not your preferred language
- Our catering team prepares meals daily for our patients, visitors and staff.
You can find more visiting information for our Birmingham hospital here.
Whether you visit us as a day-patient or need a slightly longer period of treatment, you’ll be given the best care and the undivided attention of our experienced and professional team.
How to book your carpal tunnel surgery in Birmingham
If you feel ready to get started on your road to recovery, our team is ready to answer any questions you have and book you in for an initial consultation.
Give us a call or fill in the form below and we’ll book you in at a time and date that suits you.
Sources and references
1 https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/carpal-tunnel-syndrome/
2 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279597/
