Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

 

Specialist Upper Limb Assessment and Treatment in Rochdale

 

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common condition that causes numbness, tingling and pain in the hand and fingers. Symptoms often worsen at night and can interfere with sleep, work and everyday activities.

Mr Robin Seagger is a fellowship-trained shoulder and upper limb surgeon in Rochdale, specialising in the assessment and treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome and other nerve compression conditions.

 

 

What is carpal tunnel syndrome?

 

The carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway in the wrist through which the median nerve and several tendons pass into the hand.

 

Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when pressure builds up within this tunnel, compressing the median nerve and leading to characteristic symptoms in the hand.

 

Contributing factors may include:

 

• Repetitive hand or wrist use

• Prolonged wrist positioning (especially flexion)

• Pregnancy

• Diabetes or thyroid disease

• Wrist arthritis or previous injury

 

 

Common symptoms

 

Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome often include:

 

• Numbness or tingling in the thumb, index, middle and part of the ring finger

• Pins and needles, often worse at night

• Pain in the hand or wrist that may radiate up the arm

• Weakness or clumsiness in the hand

• Difficulty with fine tasks or dropping objects

 

Symptoms may start intermittently and gradually become more persistent.

 

 

How is carpal tunnel syndrome diagnosed?

 

Diagnosis is based on:

 

• A detailed history of symptoms

• Clinical examination of the hand and wrist

• Nerve conduction studies to assess median nerve compression

• Imaging in selected cases to assess underlying causes

 

Accurate diagnosis helps determine the severity of nerve compression and guide treatment.

 

 

Is surgery always needed?

 

No. Many patients improve with non-surgical treatment, particularly in the early stages.

 

Non-surgical treatment may include:

 

• Night splinting to keep the wrist in a neutral position

• Activity modification

• Pain-relieving or anti-inflammatory medication

• Corticosteroid injection into the carpal tunnel

 

Early treatment can help prevent progression and permanent nerve damage.

 

 

When is surgery considered?

 

Surgery may be recommended when:

 

• Symptoms persist despite appropriate non-surgical treatment

• Numbness or weakness becomes constant

• Nerve conduction studies show significant compression

• There is muscle weakness or wasting at the base of the thumb

 

Carpal tunnel surgery aims to relieve pressure on the median nerve and is typically performed as a short day-case procedure.

 

 

Why see a specialist upper limb surgeon?

 

Nerve compression conditions require accurate diagnosis and timely intervention.

Mr Robin Seagger completed additional fellowship training in shoulder and upper limb surgery after qualifying as an orthopaedic surgeon.

 

His specialist focus allows:

 

• Accurate diagnosis of hand and nerve conditions

• Appropriate selection of patients for surgery

• Use of safe, effective surgical techniques

• Surgery only when genuinely necessary

 

This specialist approach helps optimise symptom relief and hand function.

 

 

Local specialist care in Rochdale

 

Mr Seagger treats patients from Rochdale, Bury, Oldham, Heywood and North Manchester, providing specialist upper limb care locally without the need to travel into central Manchester.

 

Consultations and procedures are carried out at The Highfield Hospital, Rochdale, with access to nerve testing, imaging and comprehensive aftercare.

 

 

Arrange a consultation

 

If you are experiencing numbness, tingling or weakness in your hand that is affecting sleep or daily activities, a specialist assessment can help confirm whether carpal tunnel syndrome is the cause and discuss the most appropriate treatment options.