CTS involves night-time pain, and numbness in the thumb, index finger and middle finger are common symptoms. Often a person has to get up at night and shake his or her hand. But it can also be experienced during the day, for example, while cycling, driving a car and holding the steering wheel, or talking on the phone.

A common treatment is a so-called night splint. The wrist is kept extended so that the nerve is squeezed less and you are not woken up by the hand getting numb at night. It is impractical to use during the day for those patients who have difficulties with numbness at this time. Some try anti-inflammatory tablets, usually with doubtful efficacy.

Patients who have a poor outcome from the night splint or other non-surgical treatment need to consider having an operation to relieve the transverse ligament, so that the pressure on the nerve decreases.

During the operation, we see to it that the transverse ligament is completely cut. Then the nerve is free and the symptoms disappear. The surgery is done under local anaesthesia, with sick leave for 3-5 weeks depending on your job.

The results of an operation are often very good. The patient experiences an instantaneous impact on the symptoms immediately after the surgery. In some cases, the patient needs assistance with exercise from an occupational therapist after the surgery.