Conditions

One Stop Carpal Tunnel Clinic

We are proud to announce the launch a One Stop Carpal Tunnel Clinic at the Wellington Hospital from February 2008.

We have combined the expertise of a Hand Surgeon, a Neurophysiologist and a Senior Hand Therapist in one clinic for your convenience. Within two hours, you will have had all necessary investigations, a diagnosis, the first part of your treatment and recommendation for further and possibly definitive treatment.

Carpal tunnel syndrome can mimic other hand conditions and it is important that you are investigated fully and thoroughly to give you the correct diagnosis so that the correct treatment can be instigated.

What happens at the appointment?

You will first be seen by one of our Hand Surgeons, who will listen to you explaining the symptoms you are experiencing, examine you, and send you for the appropriate investigation. If carpal tunnel syndrome is suspected as the most likely diagnosis, you will be sent for a nerve conduction study.

The nerve conduction study will be carried out by a neurophysiology technician and reported immediately by our Consultant Neurophysiologist. This will confirm if and where you have a pinched nerve. If you have come to the carpal tunnel clinic but the hand surgeon suspects that you have alternative diagnosis, she or he may send you for an alternative investigation (if appropriate) such as an x-ray.

The last part of your visit will be spent with a Specialist Hand Therapist. This therapist will look at the information gleaned by the surgeon and the neurophysiologist and give you 30 minutes advice and/or treatment as appropriate to your diagnosis and individual situation. This may include fitting you with a splint, talking you through carpal tunnel surgery and the post-operative rehabilitation program or starting your therapy tailored to your individual needs.

A report will be sent to you following your consultations giving a summary of findings and full recommendations. This can also be sent to your GP.

How much does this cost?

The package above costs £616 and includes all the fees for the consultants, the investigations and the initial treatment with the therapist. It may be that the consultant and hand therapist recommend splints as part of a management programme. These splints range in price from £12 to £56 and this price is not included in the cost of the clinic as quoted above.

Funding your Consultations:

1. If you are paying for yourself, you will be given an itemised bill to settle at our cashiers department. The hand surgeon will invoice you separately on the day.

2. If you wish to claim from your private health insurer, you will need to call them once you have made your appointment with us. They may insist on a GP referral. You will need to ask for preauthorisation to see a hand surgeon, have investigations and have an initial session with a hand therapist. The name of the surgeon will be confirmed when you call to book the appointment. All of these should be fully covered on your out patient allowance. If you are insured by AXA PPP, they will cover the cost of any splints prescribed. All other insurance companies exclude surgical appliances and you will be personally liable for this cost.

Am I a good candidate for the One Stop Carpal Tunnel Clinic?

If you have several of the following symptoms you are a good candidate for the clinic:
1. Pins and needles or numbness in your thumb, index and/or middle fingers
2. Weakness of thumb pinch grips
3. Night waking with tingling or numbness in your hand
4. Loss of muscle at the base of the thumb

How do I book?

If you call the London Hand and Wrist Unit on 020 7483 5090 and ask to be booked for the Carpal Tunnel Clinic, they will be able to tell you when we have the next available appointment.

What can I do if I do not have the above symptoms but I am worried about my hand?

Call the London Hand and Wrist Unit to seek an appointment with a Specialist Hand Therapist. This appointment will consist of thorough assessment, treatment and advice about how your hand symptoms and function can be improved. Alternatively we would advise an appointment with a Hand Surgeon which can also be made by calling the London Hand and Wrist Unit on 020 7483 5090.