Good results are routinely achieved with carpal tunnel surgery, whether performed by open or endoscopic (keyhole) techniques. Open surgery involves a small, approximately 3‑centimetre incision in the palm to release the carpal tunnel and directly inspect the median nerve. This approach is commonly chosen when only one hand requires surgery, or when there is wasting or thinning of the thumb muscle, the abductor pollicis brevis, which may warrant direct visual assessment.

Keyhole or endoscopic surgery is particularly useful for patients who need both hands treated in a single operation. It benefits people such as self‑employed tradesmen who cannot afford two separate periods away from work, allowing a quicker overall recovery and fewer interruptions to their livelihood.

Both techniques commonly result in palm tenderness and reduced grip strength following surgery, symptoms that can persist for a couple of months.

It is important to know that if you have continuous tingling, pins and needles, or numbness before surgery, you will continue to experience tingling, pins and needles, or numbness for many months afterwards. The long-term changes in the nerve take time for natural nerve regeneration to reverse, and recovery often proceeds slowly as the nerve heals and function gradually returns.