Carpal tunnel syndrome
If tingling or numbness in your hand is waking you at night or making everyday tasks harder, carpal tunnel syndrome could be the cause.
Specialist hand and wrist care
Understanding what’s causing your symptoms
Your consultant will examine your hand and wrist, arranging tests if they’re needed.
Treatment shaped around you
Finding the right treatment for you
Many people can manage carpal tunnel syndrome without surgery.
Support for your recovery
Helping you use your hand with confidence
Your care will focus on easing pressure on the nerve and helping you move more comfortably.
What is carpal tunnel syndrome?
The carpal tunnel is a narrow passage in your wrist formed by small wrist bones and a strong band of tissue. The median nerve passes through this space from your forearm into your hand. This nerve gives feeling to your thumb, index finger, middle finger and part of your ring finger. It also helps control muscles at the base of your thumb. Carpal tunnel syndrome happens when the median nerve becomes compressed inside this passage.
What causes carpal tunnel syndrome?
There isn’t always a clear reason why pressure builds up around the median nerve. You may be more likely to develop carpal tunnel syndrome if:
- It runs in your family
- You’re pregnant
- You have diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis
- You’ve previously injured or fractured your wrist
- Your work or hobbies involve repeated use of your hand or wrist
What are the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome?
Symptoms often develop gradually and may be more noticeable at night.
You may experience:
- Pins and needles or numbness in your hand and fingers
- Pain or electric-shock-like sensations that can travel into your arm
- Weakness in your thumb or a reduced grip
- Difficulty with tasks such as fastening buttons or holding objects
How is carpal tunnel syndrome diagnosed?
Your specialist will ask about your symptoms and examine your hand and wrist, checking your hand strength and how well you can feel touch in the affected fingers.
They may recommend a nerve conduction test to measure how well signals travel through the median nerve. If another wrist problem may be contributing to your symptoms, your specialist might arrange an X-ray or another imaging scan.
How is carpal tunnel syndrome treated?
Treatment depends on your symptoms and how much they affect daily life. Carpal tunnel syndrome can sometimes settle without treatment, particularly during pregnancy. Changing activities that aggravate your symptoms may also help.
If your symptoms continue, your specialist will explain the treatment options that may help.
Treatment routes for carpal tunnel syndrome
A wrist splint can help keep your wrist straight while you sleep, reducing pressure on the nerve. Your specialist may also suggest adapting activities that trigger your symptoms.
If this doesn’t give enough relief, a steroid injection into the wrist may help reduce swelling around the nerve. The benefit can be temporary, and symptoms may return.
Recovery goals after carpal tunnel syndrome treatment
Phase 1 goals:
Keep your hand raised when advised, helping to manage swelling Keep your fingers and thumb moving within the guidance you’re given
Phase 2 goals:
Gradually use your hand more for light everyday activities Build comfort as your wound heals, and the scar begins to settle
Phase 3 goals:
Continue rebuilding hand strength as comfort allows Work towards heavier tasks or activities with your specialist’s guidance
Working with Hand and Wrist professionals and teams
Our hand and wrist specialists support professional athletes, sports teams, active individuals and people whose work places high demands on their hands and wrists. Working closely with radiologists, physiotherapists and the wider multidisciplinary team, they provide coordinated care from diagnosis through to rehabilitation, helping each person return safely to sport, work or everyday activities.
The same specialist expertise and collaborative approach are available to every patient, whatever your activity level or recovery goals.
Our Experts - Leaders in Hand and Wrist treatment
How to pay
We offer flexible options depending on how you choose to access care at Fortius. Whichever option you choose, we’ll help make the process clear and straightforward from the start.
Private medical insurance
If your care is covered by private medical insurance, we’ll usually invoice your insurer directly. Please check your policy in advance and request an authorisation code if your insurer requires one. You’ll be responsible for paying any policy excess or costs that aren’t covered by your insurance.
Paying for yourself
You don’t need private medical insurance to access care at Fortius. If you’re paying for your own treatment, our team will explain the costs clearly and provide a personalised quote before you decide whether to go ahead.
Find a clinic near you
Fortius Clinic City
Our City Clinic is conveniently located between Bank and Monument stations, within the historic and financial heart of London. At our modern, two-floor facility we have nine consulting rooms, spacious waiting areas, well equipped treatment rooms and an imaging centre.
Explore our City Clinic with our virtual tour.
If you are travelling by Tube, our closest underground stations are Bank and Monument, exit 6 for King William Street.
Should you be travelling by car, the closest parking is a three minute drive away at NCP Car Park London Vintry Thames Exchange. If you are attending clinic on a weekday, please be aware that we are based in the congestion charge zone.
- 75 King William StreetEC4N 7BE
- 0203 195 2442
- Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 8.00pm.
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Tendon
- Sports & Exercise Medicine
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
- MRI Scan
Fortius Clinic Marylebone
Our Marylebone Clinic is conveniently located in the historic area between Baker Street and Marylebone High Street, just off Manchester Square, home to the iconic Wallace Collection. We have seven consulting rooms, private waiting areas on each floor, well equipped treatment rooms and diagnostic imaging.
- 17 Fitzhardinge StreetW1U 2EU
- 020 3195 2442
- MRI Scan
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
Fortius Clinic Marylebone Wing
Our 79,000 sq ft, seven-story, private hospital on Wigmore Street has 39 en-suite inpatient rooms, consultation and treatment rooms, and a physiotherapy suite.
The hospital has a high-spec imaging suite fully equipped with an MRI, CT scanner and X-ray machine. There are three state-of-the-art operating theatres, two anaesthetic rooms and a recovery bay.
Fortius Clinic London has two Mako robots for hip and knee joint replacements.
- 66 Wigmore StreetW1U 2SB
- +442031952442
- Open 24 hours
- Sports & Exercise Medicine
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Tendon
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
- CT guided injection
- MRI Scan
- CT Scan
Fortius Clinic Wimbledon
Our Wimbledon clinic houses a state-of-the-art imaging centre with a 3T MRI and X-ray scanners, Ultrasound, seven consulting rooms, two spacious waiting areas and well equipped treatment rooms all located on one level, ensuring easy accessibility for all patients.
Our partnership with Spire St Anthony’s Hospital allows us to provide orthopaedic surgery closer to our clinic. We treat a full range of conditions and perform joint replacement surgery using the latest Mako robotic assisted technology.
Take a tour of our clinic virtually through Google 360 views here.
We are open Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 8.00pm, and Saturday mornings from 8.30am to 12.30pm.
If you are travelling by Tube, our closest underground station is Wimbledon (District Line), which also has rail and tramlink services from central London and beyond.
There is no parking available at the clinic, but we have a number of parking facilities all within a 10-12 minute walk of the clinic: Centre Court Car Park, Broadway Car Park, and Hartfield Road Car Park. Please note that all of these facilities are paid car parks.
The building at 22 Worple Road has steps leading up to the front entrance. If you require assistance please inform us before your arrival by calling ahead on 020 3195 2442
- 22 Worple RoadSW19 4DD
- 0203 195 2442
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- MRI Scan
1 of 4