Carpal Tunnel Release

Carpal tunnel surgery (carpal tunnel release) is a procedure to relieve pressure on the median nerve in your wrist, which is squeezed inside a narrow space called the carpal tunnel.

The surgeon cuts the tight “roof” of the tunnel (the transverse carpal ligament). This opens the tunnel, creating more space so the swollen nerve can decompress and heal.

Two main methods:

• Open release: a small incision in the palm to see and divide the ligament.
• Endoscopic release: 1–2 tiny incisions; a camera guides a blade to divide the ligament from inside.

Shorter wait times

Consults and surgery dates are typically scheduled in weeks—not months—which means faster relief and return to work, sport, and caregiving duties.

Choice & control

Ability to choose a surgeon based on what's important to you (i.e. specific expertise, experience, qualifications, personal connection).

Certainty

Private pathways typically provide a clear quote and surgery date/timeline, so you can arrange time off, caregiver help, and rehab. This certainty can ease anxiety and help families plan for recovery.

Preventing further decline

• Nerve protection: Prolonged compression can cause median nerve damage, thenar muscle wasting, and persistent numbness; earlier release can improve the chance of full recovery.
• Work and life impact: Shortening the period of sleep disruption, hand weakness, and activity limits helps maintain productivity and quality of life.
• Avoiding complexity: Waiting until there’s constant numbness or weakness can make recovery slower and outcomes less complete.

1. ‍Confirm your diagnosis. Most patients start with a family doctor or specialist who confirms that carpal tunnel surgery is needed.
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2. Research. Explore surgeons who specialize in private carpal tunnel surgery.
   • You can find surgeons in Vancouver, British Columbia; Calgary, Alberta; Toronto, Ontario; and Montréal, Québec on our app, and review qualifications, as well as pricing.
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3. Schedule an initial consultation. Most surgeons offer in-clinic and online consults.
   
   • Consultations are usually booked within days or a few weeks.
   • Note: expect a consultation fee between $150 - $350.
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4. Consultation. The surgeon will review your condition, symptoms, and any previous treatments or diagnostics, such as x-rays or MRIs.
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5. ‍Post consultation. The surgeon will then review your case and provide surgical options based on your needs; review the risks and expected outcomes; and present pricing and scheduling options.
   
   • Because the procedure is not covered by your provincial health plan when done privately, you’ll need to review the quoted cost and consider payment options (out-of-pocket, private insurance, or financing).
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6. Schedule your surgery date. Once you confirm the procedure and payment, the clinic will schedule your surgery—generally within a few weeks.
   
   • Plan for travel and accommodation, since the surgery will likely take place outside your home province.
   • Expect pre-surgery preparation, and possibly some pre-surgery tests.

Carpal tunnel surgery is quick. Usually 30 minutes or less.

• Numb the hand (local or light sedation).
• Small cut in palm (open) or tiny incisions (endoscopic).
• Cut the tight ligament (transverse carpal ligament) to make space.
• Close skin; soft bandage.

The recovery process varies patient to patient. Your recovery might look quite different, so please seek further guidance from your surgeon. In general here is what you can expect:

Week 1

• Goals: control pain/swelling; protect the incision; keep fingers moving and hand elevated

• Activities:
  • Elevate hand above heart.
  • Gentle full finger motion hourly while awake; avoid heavy gripping/pinching.
  • Light daily tasks with the non‑operative hand; short walks.
  • Keep dressing clean/dry; shower as instructed (usually after 24–48h, no soaking).
  • Pain plan: acetaminophen ± NSAID if allowed; start before numbness wears off.

Weeks 2–4

• Goals: heal the incision; restore comfortable light use; reduce stiffness and scar tenderness; return to desk/sedentary work as able

• Activities:
  • Dressing/suture removal around 10–14 days (open); earlier comfort for endoscopic.
  • Gentle wrist ROM (flex/extend, forearm rotation) as tolerated.
  • Scar care once closed: massage/desensitization, silicone gel/sheath if advised.
  • Light typing, eating, phone use; avoid forceful grip, vibration tools, or 5–10lbs lifting.

Weeks 5–12

• Goals: rebuild grip/pinch strength and endurance; normalize hand function for everyday tasks; progress back to manual duties with a graded plan

• Activities:
  • Hand therapy or home program: tendon glides, nerve glides, progressive strengthening (putty, light dumbbells, grippers).
  • Increase lifting as pain‑free (e.g. 5→10→15+ lbs); avoid painful overuse.
  • Return to manual work typically 6–8+ weeks with modifications; athletes resume noncontact training first.

Weeks 13–52

• Goals: full function with minimal/no pain; regain strength and dexterity; prevent recurrence/overuse issues

• Activities:
  • Unrestricted daily use; heavy lifting, power tools, and sports as cleared.
  • Ongoing grip/forearm/core conditioning; ergonomic optimization at work.
  • Continue scar desensitization if tender; manage contributing factors (diabetes, thyroid, vibration exposure).

Red flags anytime: fever, spreading redness/pus, severe swelling, blue/cold fingers, worsening numbness/weakness, or uncontrolled pain—contact your surgeon.

In Canada, private clinics charge $3,000 to $6,000 per hand.

In the United States, the average cost is CA$9,600 per hand.

Costs vary so much because of surgery type, location, surgeon experience, facility type, complexity, and included services (some clinics offer all-inclusive, while others charge separately for anesthesia, followup care, etc.).

What’s included

Most quotes for private carpal tunnel release surgery cover:

• Surgeon fee (and assistant if used).
• Facility fees (operating room, nursing, supplies).
• Anesthesia (local anesthesia; sometimes light sedation).
• Routine post‑op care: first follow‑up(s), dressing change, suture removal.
• Standard discharge meds given in facility (varies).

What’s usually not included:

• Pre‑op consult and imaging beyond basics (nerve studies/ultrasound if needed).
• Sedation or anesthesiologist fees if not bundled (some clinics charge extra).
• Hand therapy beyond initial guidance (formal physiotherapy/occupational therapy sessions).
• Medications after you go home.
• Travel and accommodation if surgery is out‑of‑province.
• Fees related to complications or re‑operations beyond the routine global period (clinic policy dependent).

Insurance and financing options

• Private health insurance: Some plans may cover part of the costs, such as hospital fees. It’s important to check your policy directly.
• Financing plans: Many clinics offer monthly payment options to help spread out the cost. Learn more about your financing options here.‍
• Medical Expense Tax Credit (METC): This is a non-refundable credit that reduces your taxes when you pay out-of-pocket for eligible medical expenses. Learn more about how to claim METC for private surgeries.

Choosing your surgeon is one of the benefits of going the private route. Here’s what to consider and the key questions to bring to your carpal tunnel consultation.

What to look for

• Experience and volume
  • Ask how many carpal tunnel releases they perform each year, and what proportion are endoscopic vs open. High, consistent volume often correlates with smoother care.
• Credentials and training
  • Confirm licensure with the provincial college (e.g., CPSO in Ontario, CPSBC in BC, CPSA in Alberta).
  • Look for FRCSC-certified plastic/orthopaedic hand surgeons; many also complete hand/microsurgery fellowships. Podiatry does not perform CTR; prioritize hand-focused surgeons.
• Specialization
  • Prefer surgeons who focus on hand/wrist conditions (carpal tunnel, trigger finger, Dupuytren’s, nerve compression).
• Outcomes and safety
  • Ask about infection rates, revision rates, nerve/artery injury, pillar pain, and conversion rates (endoscopic to open).
• Technique fit
  • Ensure they offer the approach that suits you: open mini-incision under local vs endoscopic vs WALANT (wide-awake local anesthesia no tourniquet).
• Facility accreditation
  
  • ‍Make sure the clinic is accredited by national bodies such as Accreditation Canada or the Canadian Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgical Facilities (CAAASF).‍
• Support services‍
  
  • Look for coordinated aftercare: dressing changes, suture removal, return‑to‑work guidance, and access to certified hand therapy.

Questions to ask during your carpal tunnel consultation

Surgeon and surgery plan

• How many carpal tunnel releases do you perform yearly? What are your complication and revision rates?
• Do you recommend open, mini‑open, endoscopic, or WALANT for me? Why?
• What anesthesia do you use (local only, local + light sedation, regional, general)? Pros/cons and cost differences?
• Where will the surgery be done (ambulatory centre vs hospital)? Is it fully accredited?
• If symptoms are severe, do you also address concurrent issues (trigger finger, ganglion) at the same sitting?

Recovery and aftercare

• When can I remove the bulky dressing, start gentle finger/wrist motion, shower, drive, return to desk work vs manual work, and lift heavier weights?
• Do you use splints post‑op? For how long?
• What’s your plan to reduce pillar pain and stiffness? Do you provide hand therapy referrals and a home exercise program?
• What red flags should prompt me to call you or go to the ER?
• Whom do I contact post‑op (direct phone/email)? Typical response time?

Costs and logistics

• What exactly is included in my quote (surgeon, facility, anesthesia/sedation, supplies, follow‑ups, suture removal)? What could add to cost (nerve studies, endoscopic equipment fee, therapy)?
• If complications occur or a revision is needed, how are costs handled? Do you have a re‑operation policy?
• If I’m traveling from another province, can early/late follow‑ups be virtual? What’s the schedule?