Me and my operation: carpal tunnel syndrome

The NHS undertakes 37,000 procedures annually to tackle carpal tunnel - an ailment where the wrist nerve becomes compressed.

Here, Julie Jewitt, 40, a healthcare facility theatre sister who lives together with her partner and 2 children in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, informs us about her operation and her surgeon describes the process.

The individual states:

Strange sensations within my left hands began seven several weeks into my first pregnancy seven years back. I'd tingling within my fingers which woke me up during the night.

After I woke each morning, my fingers would feel completely dead, but when I had been up contributing to, that feeling would fade.

I'd a vague idea what it really was, and so i delay likely to see my GP for 2 years. After I did finally go, he immediately explained he think it is carpal tunnel and sent me for tests.

I understood a carpal tunnel symptoms release operation would combat the issue, however it was dependent on plucking in the courage. I made the decision I needed to do something if this began to affect me at the office, and so i arranged a scheduled appointment with hands surgeon Douglas Campbell.

He stated it might be done as day surgery under local anaesthetic. They'd wrap a tourniquet throughout my arm and then suggest an cut within my wrist, which may relieve the nerve pressurized.

I showed up in the hospital midmorning. Mr Campbell arrived about fifteen minutes prior to the operation and provided a shot of local anaesthetic.

I had been very nervous travelling to theatre, partially since i was among co-workers and partially because, like a nurse, you feel like you are there under false pretences. At the rear of my thoughts was the worry they will dsicover another thing.

Mr Campbell provided a running commentary of the items he was doing also it required a maximum of 10 mins. I left theatre with my arm wrapped as well as in a sling.

The bandage was removed per week following the operation and also the stitches were removed four days later. The scar is really small, it's hardly visible. My sleep is normal again - my only regret isn't getting the operation done sooner.