Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common hand disorder in the UK, but recent findings show patients can successfully receive diagnostic testing and treatment in just one visit.
Carpal tunnel syndrome affects three to six percent of the population at some point in their life. It’s also a costly one in terms of missed work and medical costs.
Carpal tunnel syndrome results in the highest number of days lost among all work related injuries and almost half of the carpal tunnel cases result in 31 days or more off work each year, according to US National Center for Health Statistics. But now patients can receive assessment, testing, treatment and therapy in just one appointment.
Diagnosis and treatment in one day
Usually carpal tunnel syndrome is diagnosed and treated over the course of several appointments. But a recent study has shown that this needn’t be the case. According to the findings published in the Annals of the Royal College Surgeons England, patients can be diagnosed and treated during a single hospital visit while maintaining optimal results.
According to hand and plastic surgeon and one of the authors of the study, Professor Jagdeep Nanchahal, “patients experienced a 40 percent improvement in grip strength and high satisfaction with the process and results.”
After an initial examination by the consultant, patients underwent nerve conduction studies to determine whether they had carpal tunnel syndrome. If they were found to have the condition, the surgeons then determined the appropriate treatment. For relatively mild cases, the patients were given a steroid injection and supplied with a splint.
Carpal tunnel release surgery
Due to the severity of the condition, 70 percent of the patients who came to the clinic over a one-year period were advised to undergo surgery. “Carpal tunnel release surgery involves cutting the transverse carpal ligament, which reduces pressure on the median nerve,” Mr Michael Pearse, orthopaedic surgeon and author on the study explained.
The surgery was performed on the same day under local anaesthesia for the patients deciding to proceed with the procedure. “To ensure the best outcomes, the surgery was followed by a specialist hand therapist advising patients on post operative care, including exercises they could do to avoid stiffness,” Professor Nanchahal said. “Patients were generally ready to go home within two to three hours of their initial appointment and the stitches were removed two weeks later.”
Now available at Bupa Cromwell Hospital
Professor Nanchahal and Mr Pearse recently launched the Carpal Tunnel and Trigger Digit Finger Clinic at Bupa Cromwell Hospital. Currently the only private hospital in London to offer a single-visit carpal tunnel clinic, patients can now receive assessment, nerve testing, treatment and therapy in just one appointment. And for even greater convenience, the clinic is open on Saturdays.
“We are very excited to be able to offer this service at Bupa Cromwell Hospital,” Mr Pearse said.
See more information on the Carpal Tunnel Clinic and Trigger Digit Clinic.
