Surgical release of nerve compression at common sites in the upper limb — including the median nerve at the carpal tunnel and the ulnar nerve at the cubital tunnel.
Carpal tunnel syndrome results from compression of the median nerve at the wrist. Typical symptoms include numbness, tingling and pain in the thumb, index, middle and radial half of the ring finger, often worse at night, with weakness or clumsiness of the hand in more advanced disease.
When conservative measures (splinting, activity modification, steroid injection) have not provided adequate relief, surgical release of the transverse carpal ligament reliably relieves the compression. The procedure is typically performed under local anaesthetic as a day case.
Cubital tunnel syndrome results from compression of the ulnar nerve at the elbow. Typical symptoms include numbness and tingling of the little and ulnar half of the ring finger, weakness of grip and pinch, and sometimes elbow discomfort.
Surgical management ranges from simple in-situ decompression to subcutaneous or submuscular transposition of the nerve, depending on the patient's anatomy and the severity of compression.
Recovery is generally rapid for in-situ procedures. Hand therapy is often helpful in the post-operative period. Most patients return to light activities within a few days and to full activity over several weeks.
Related: See our scar management guide for the post-operative healing timeline, the daily silicone-and-massage protocol, and when to be concerned about a scar.
All surgical procedures carry potential risks and complications, which will be discussed in detail at your consultation.