01
Median nerve · wrist
Carpal Tunnel Release
A procedure that increases space in the carpal tunnel by dividing the transverse carpal ligament and reducing pressure on the median nerve.
Hand surgery Manchester · UK-trained specialist
Hand & Wrist Procedures and Surgery in Manchester
Explore specialist options for nerve compression, tendon injury, wrist instability, fractures, arthritis and complex hand problems. The first step is a clear diagnosis—surgery is considered only when it offers a meaningful route back to function.
Diagnosis firstConfirm the problem and its severity
Balanced choicesNon-surgical and surgical options
Manchester · UKSpecialist consultation availability
Diagnosis before treatmentSurgery only when appropriateRehabilitation planned from day oneClear expectations and informed choice
Interactive procedure library
Find the procedure by problem being treated.
Select a category to filter the library. Every guide covers why the procedure may be considered, alternatives, preparation, recovery and risks.
01
02
Ulnar nerve · elbow
Cubital Tunnel Release
Surgery to relieve pressure on the ulnar nerve around the elbow; in selected cases the nerve may be moved to a safer position in front of the elbow.
03
Ulnar nerve · wrist
Guyon’s canal Release
Decompression of the ulnar nerve where it passes through Guyon’s canal at the wrist, sometimes combined with treatment of a ganglion or other local cause.
04
Traumatic nerve injury
Nerve Repair & Reconstruction
Microsurgical treatment for a cut or severely damaged nerve, using direct repair, a graft or a nerve transfer according to the injury and gap.
05
Flexor tendon · A1 pulley
Trigger Finger Release
A procedure that opens the tight A1 pulley so the flexor tendon can glide more freely and the finger can bend and straighten without catching.
06
Thumb tendons · first compartment
De Quervain's Release
Release of the tendon sheath on the thumb side of the wrist to create more room for the irritated tendons.
07
Palm-side tendon injury
Flexor Tendon Repair
Repair of a cut or torn flexor tendon to restore finger or thumb bending, followed by protected rehabilitation to balance healing and glide.
08
Back-of-hand tendon injury
Extensor Tendon Repair
Repair or reconstruction of an extensor tendon that straightens the finger or thumb, with splinting and therapy tailored to the injury zone.
09
Keyhole wrist procedure
Wrist Arthroscopy
A small-camera procedure used to inspect the wrist joint and, in selected cases, treat cartilage, ligament, TFCC, ganglion or fracture-related problems.
10
Ulnar-sided wrist stability
TFCC Repair
Arthroscopic or open treatment of a selected TFCC tear, using debridement or repair according to the tear location, tissue quality and wrist stability.
11
Carpal ligament instability
Scapholunate Ligament Reconstruction
Repair or reconstruction designed to restore alignment between the scaphoid and lunate in a symptomatic unstable wrist.
12
Wrist lump procedure
Ganglion Cyst Excision
Removal of a symptomatic ganglion cyst and its connection to the joint or tendon sheath when observation or aspiration is not suitable.
13
Broken wrist · internal fixation
Distal Radius Fracture Fixation
Surgical realignment and stabilisation of an unstable or displaced distal radius fracture, commonly using a plate and screws.
14
Scaphoid fracture · screw fixation
Scaphoid Fracture Fixation
Internal fixation of a displaced, unstable or selected high-risk scaphoid fracture, sometimes with bone graft for delayed healing or nonunion.
15
Metacarpal and phalanx fractures
Hand & Finger Fracture Fixation
Reduction and fixation of an unstable hand or finger fracture using pins, screws or plates selected for the fracture and soft-tissue condition.
16
Palmar cord and contracture
Dupuytren’s Surgery
Procedure to divide or remove diseased palmar tissue so a contracted finger can straighten more effectively.
17
Thumb-base arthritis reconstruction
Thumb CMC Arthroplasty
Surgery for painful thumb-base arthritis, commonly involving removal of the arthritic trapezium and stabilisation or reconstruction of the thumb metacarpal.
18
Pain-relieving joint fusion
Wrist Fusion (Arthrodesis)
Partial or total fusion of painful damaged wrist joints to improve stability and relieve pain, with an accepted reduction or loss of wrist motion.
19
Motion-preserving arthritis surgery
Wrist Joint Replacement
Replacement of damaged wrist joint surfaces with an implant to reduce pain while preserving some wrist movement in carefully selected patients.
Surgical planning board
A procedure is one part of a complete treatment plan.
The procedure, anaesthetic, protection and rehabilitation are planned around the diagnosis, tissue quality, work, sport and personal priorities.
Confirm
Diagnosis and severity
Symptoms, examination and targeted tests establish what is actually being treated.
Compare
Options and trade-offs
Expected benefits, alternatives, limitations and risks are discussed clearly.
Prepare
Anaesthetic and procedure day
Health, medicines, fasting, transport and home support are organised.
Recover
Protection and rehabilitation
Splinting, wound care, movement, therapy and return to activity are staged.
Is surgery always needed?
Start with the least invasive option that can realistically protect function.
Many hand and wrist problems improve with splinting, therapy, activity change, medication or injection. Surgery becomes relevant when symptoms remain limiting, structure is unstable or damaged, or delay may reduce recovery potential.
01
Protect, settle and reassess
- Splint or activity modification
- Hand therapy and targeted exercises
- Injection or medicine where appropriate
- Review progress and function
02
Repair, release or reconstruct
- Clear anatomical target
- Meaningful expected benefit
- Alternatives and risks understood
- Recovery plan agreed before surgery
Inside the process
Precision is not only the operation. It is every decision around it.
Imaging, tissue handling, fixation, protection and rehabilitation must work as one pathway.
See the patient journey ↓Planning sequenceAssessPrepareOperateRehabilitate
The surgical journey
Know what happens before, during and after.
The details vary by procedure, but the decision pathway should remain clear and predictable.
Stage 01
Specialist consultation
Define symptoms, function, examination findings, prior treatment and the outcome that matters to you.
Recovery dashboard
Recovery is a programme—not a single date.
The exact plan depends on what was repaired, released, fixed or reconstructed. Select a topic to see the questions that should be answered before surgery.
01 · Wound & swelling
How will I protect the incision and control swelling?
Dressings, elevation, finger movement and warning signs should be clear before you leave the hospital or clinic.
02 · Splint & protection
What must stay protected—and for how long?
Nerve releases may allow early motion, while tendon, ligament and fracture repairs often need stricter protection.
03 · Hand therapy
When should movement start?
Therapy timing is specific to the procedure. Too little movement can cause stiffness; too much can threaten a repair.
04 · Work & driving
Which tasks are safe with my dressing, splint or restrictions?
Return depends on hand dominance, job demands, pain control, grip and the ability to operate a vehicle safely.
05 · Sport & strength
When can load, impact and strong grip return?
Strength follows tissue healing. Sport-specific progression is safer than using a single universal recovery date.
Informed decision-making
Benefits, limits and risks should be understood—not hidden.
Risk differs by procedure and patient. These themes are discussed in context rather than used as a generic checklist.
Infection and wound healing+
Risk is usually low but varies with health, smoking, diabetes, injury type and the procedure.
Stiffness and swelling+
Hand and wrist tissues can remain swollen and stiff; movement and therapy are balanced against repair protection.
Nerve and scar symptoms+
Temporary numbness, tingling or scar sensitivity may occur depending on the incision and structures treated.
Incomplete relief or recurrence+
Surgery treats a defined target but cannot reverse every cause of pain or longstanding nerve/tissue damage.
Further treatment+
Hardware removal, revision, therapy or another procedure may occasionally be needed.
4.96/555 verified reviewsSpecialist surgical assessment
Clear diagnosis. Measured decisions. A recovery plan built around your hand.
Dr. Shoaib Arshad is a fellowship-trained consultant orthopaedic hand and wrist surgeon with UK specialist training and more than 17 years in orthopaedic surgery.
Hand, wrist and upper-limb focusNon-surgical and surgical treatment choicesConsultations in Manchester and across the UK, and at Healthpoint Abu Dhabi
Meet Dr. Arshad ↗Questions patients ask
Hand and wrist surgery FAQs.
These answers are general. Procedure choice, anaesthetic, discharge and recovery require individual assessment.
How do I know if hand surgery is needed?+
Surgery is considered when the diagnosis is clear and the expected benefit outweighs the alternatives and risks. Persistent symptoms, weakness, instability, structural damage or failed non-surgical care may be relevant.
Is hand surgery always a day-case procedure?+
Many procedures can be performed without an overnight stay, but this depends on the operation, anaesthetic, health, injury complexity and hospital arrangements.
Will I need a splint or hand therapy?+
Some releases need only short wound protection. Tendon, ligament and fracture repairs may require a precise splint and supervised therapy.
When can I return to work or drive?+
This varies with the procedure, hand dominance, job demands, medication, dressings and whether you can control a vehicle safely.
What should I bring to a surgical consultation?+
Bring previous reports, scans or X-rays, nerve tests, medication list, details of prior injections or therapy and the activities you need your hand to perform.
Manchester · UK & Abu Dhabi consultation availability
Considering hand or wrist surgery?
Book a specialist assessment to confirm the diagnosis, compare options and understand the likely recovery before making a decision.