What is carpal tunnel release?

Carpal tunnel release is a surgical procedure used to treat and heal carpal tunnel syndrome, a condition that causes numbness, tingling, and pain in the hand and forearm. The condition occurs when one of the major nerves to the hand — the median nerve — is squeezed or compressed as it travels through the wrist. 

Why do you need carpal tunnel release?

Carpal tunnel syndrome tends to get worse over time and if left untreated, can result in permanent dysfunction of the hand, including loss of sensation in the fingers and weakness. Early symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome can be relieved through the following measures:

  • Wearing a wrist splint while sleeping
  • Exercises to keep the nerve mobile
  • Avoiding certain activities that aggravate your symptoms
  • A steroid injection into the carpal tunnel

However, if there is continued pressure on the median nerve despite the above measures, your doctor may recommend surgery to take pressure off the median nerve and prevent symptoms from worsening.

What can you expect when undergoing carpal tunnel release?

Preparing for Carpal Tunnel Release

You will need to stop taking medication that could make it difficult for your blood to clot. In addition, you may need to get blood tests or an electrocardiogram (ECG) before surgery to assess your suitability for the procedure. You will also be asked to fast for 6 to 12 hours before the surgery.

During Carpal Tunnel Release

Carpal tunnel release is usually an outpatient procedure, which means that you can go home the same day as the surgery. You will be under local anaesthesia to numb your hand and wrist. There are two types of carpal tunnel release surgery:

  • Open release; this is the traditional method where the surgeon cuts open the wrist to do the surgery. The surgeon will make a 2 inch incision on your wrist and use surgical tools to cut the carpal ligament and enlarge the carpal tunnel
  • Endoscopic carpal tunnel release; a thin, flexible tube containing a camera is put into the wrist through a tiny incision that is about half-inch. Another half-inch incision is made on the palm. The camera guides the surgeon in performing the cutting of the carpal ligament with tools

The surgeon will stitch up the incisions and your hand and wrist will be placed in a splint to keep you from moving your wrist.

After Carpal Tunnel Release

You will need to keep the splint on for one to two weeks. It is normal to experience pain in your hand and wrist after surgery and your surgeon may prescribe pain medicines to help you manage the pain. You may also be asked to keep your hand elevated when sleeping at night to help decrease swelling.

You will be put under a physical therapy program once the splint is removed, and will be taught motion exercises to speed up healing of your hand and wrist or strengthen them. Full recovery can take up to a few months.

Why choose Novena Surgery for carpal tunnel release?

Doctors who choose to perform carpal tunnel release at Novena Surgery will perform the procedure in one of four modular operating theaters with cable-less pendant systems, allowing doctors to operate free of stray wiring obstruction.

Post-procedure, patients can choose to recover in one of Novena Surgery’s comfortable private suites, or in our 12-bed recovery unit under the care of well-trained nursing staff.

Waiting times are also shortened as patients need only turn up half-an-hour before their surgery, and be checked into the ward within 10 minutes of arrival. 

Patients’ companions have the option of patronising Velocity, Square and Square 2 shopping malls that are seamlessly integrated with Novena Medical Centre, the building housing Novena Surgery.

I want to undergo carpal tunnel release in Novena Surgery but I do not have a specialist doctor in mind yet.

This list consists of specialists who commonly perform carpal tunnel release at Novena Surgery – contact us at +65-6254 9331 or admin@novenasurgery.com.sg and we will help you book a consultation appointment with a specialist doctor from the list.

Name of Specialist ClinicName of Specialist DoctorSpecialist Clinic AddressSpecialist Clinic Opening Hours
Hand Wrist & Microsurgical CentreDr Looi Kok PohNovena Medical Centre, #08-14 Inliven Medical, 10 Sinaran Dr, Singapore 307506
Monday to Friday: 9:00am to 6:00pm
Saturday: 9:00am to 1:00pm
Sun & Public Holiday: Closed
Advanced Hand, Wrist & Nerve CentreDr Jacqueline TanMount Elizabeth Novena Specialist Centre, 38 Irrawaddy Road, #08-62/63, Singapore 329563Monday to Friday: 9:00am to 5:00pm
Saturday: 9:00am to 1:00pm
Sun & Public Holiday: Closed
Centre for Hand and Reconstructive MicrosurgeryDr Lim Beng HaiMount Elizabeth Medical Centre
3 Mount Elizabeth # 06-05, Singapore 228510
 
Paragon Medical Suites
290 Orchard Road #09-08, Singapore 238859
Monday to Friday: 9:00am to 5:00pm
Saturday: 9:00am to 12:00pm
Sun & Public Holiday: Closed
The Orthopaedic CentreDr Chin Pak LinMount Elizabeth Novena Specialist Centre, 38 Irrawaddy Road #09-42, Singapore 329563
Monday to Friday: 9:00am to 5:00pm
Saturday: 9:00am to 1:00pm
Sun & Public Holiday: Closed
BJIOS OrthopaedicsDr Peter Lee1 Farrer Park Station Rd, #13-15 to 20 Connexion, Singapore 217562Monday to Friday: 8:30am to 5:30pm
Saturday: 8:30am to 12:30pm
Sun & Public Holiday: Closed
Orthosports Orthopaedic Surgery & Sports MedicineDr David Paul Bell38 Irrawaddy Road #10-41 Mt. Elizabeth Novena Specialist Centre, Singapore 329563Monday to Friday: 9:00am to 5:00pm
Saturday: 9:00am to 12:00pm
Sun & Public Holiday: Closed
The Orthopaedic CentreDr Tan Chyn HongMount Elizabeth Novena Specialist Centre, 38 Irrawaddy Road #09-42, Singapore 329563
Monday to Friday: 9:00am to 5:00pm
Saturday: 9:00am to 1:00pm
Sun & Public Holiday: Closed
Hand Surgery AssociatesDr Peng Yeong PinMount Elizabeth Novena Specialist Centre, 38 Irrawaddy Road #10-51/52/53, Singapore 329563Monday to Friday: 9:00am to 5:00pm
Saturday: 9:00am to 1:00pm
Sun & Public Holiday: Closed

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