New mum Melissa’s severe wrist pain and numb fingers are a thing of the past thanks to carpal tunnel surgery.

Unsure exactly what the problem was and how it could be treated, she was referred to Professor Ali Noorani through her Bupa private medical insurance. Having assessed the results of Melissa’s neurological review and MRI scan, Professor Noorani noted some problems with her spine and shoulder, but as the symptoms were relatively mild, he decided the initial focus should be on the main issue: Melissa’s severe pain and numbness in her hand and wrist, which he diagnosed as carpal tunnel syndrome. The carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway inside your wrist through which certain nerves to your hands and fingers pass. Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when a nerve becomes compressed in the carpal tunnel, causing tingling, numbness and other symptoms in the hand and arm. The condition is more common in women than in men.

Professor Noorani recommended that Melissa undergo a surgical decompression (a type of surgery used to treat compressed nerves) on her right carpal tunnel. The operation, which was performed at the end of February 2019, relieves pressure by releasing the ligament that is pressing on the median nerve..

Melissa’s wound healed well and just two weeks after her operation, her condition showed significant improvement; she no longer had pins and needles; her pain was notably reduced, and she had already begun hand therapy to help restore the hand function. She says: “Straight after the carpal tunnel syndrome operation, I regained full feeling and was pain-free.”

She advises other patients with similar problems to seek treatment early on, so they can return to a normal routine as soon as possible.

She adds: “I was well looked after by Professor Noorani and his team. All aspects of carpal tunnel syndrome and treatment were fully explained to me, which put me at ease, and I received fantastic care during each step of the procedure.”

Professor Noorani says: “Melissa had fairly severe carpal tunnel that failed conservative treatment. She was one of the rare ones that needed surgery and we carried this out awake with local anaesthesia and sedation. I am pleased to say that Melissa’s hand continues to do well and since the operation all her symptoms of pins and needles have completely settled down. The scar has healed well and I’m delighted she can get back to enjoying her new baby.”