Carpal tunnel release surgery.
Local anaesthetic. Same-week consultation. Back to office work in 24-48 hours. Pain, tingling and numbness in your hand resolved with a 15-minute procedure by Consultant Hand Surgeon Mr Angus Maclean FRCS — not delegated, not rushed, not on a 12-month NHS waiting list.
Do these symptoms sound familiar?
Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by pressure on the median nerve at the wrist. If you have any of these symptoms, you may benefit from assessment.
- Pain in thumb, index, middle and ring fingers
- Tingling — especially at night
- Numbness in the hand that wakes you from sleep
- Weakness — dropping things, weak grip
- Symptoms worse with driving, typing or holding a phone
- Relief from shaking the hand
Untreated carpal tunnel syndrome can lead to permanent nerve damage and muscle wasting at the base of the thumb. Early assessment matters.
All-inclusive fixed pricing.
Every price includes the consultant surgeon, sterile equipment, theatre, anaesthetic, sutures, dressings and follow-up where applicable. No hidden fees.
Pre-operative consultation
Clinical assessment with Mr Maclean. Confirms suitability for surgery. Includes treatment plan and aftercare advice.
Surgery — one hand
Carpal tunnel release under local anaesthetic. Includes theatre, surgeon, all materials, and follow-up.
Surgery — both hands
Both hands operated on the same day. Local anaesthetic. Save £200 vs two separate procedures.
Follow-up appointments
Suture removal at 10-14 days and 6-week review with Mr Maclean. No additional charges.
Insurance accepted: Bupa, AXA Health, WPA, Vitality, Aviva, Cigna, Healix, Saga, Allianz. We'll help with your pre-authorisation paperwork.
Surgery isn't always the answer.
At your pre-op consultation, Mr Maclean will assess your symptoms and recommend the right treatment for you. Sometimes that's surgery — sometimes it isn't.
Non-surgical management
For mild or early carpal tunnel: wrist splinting at night, activity modification, or an ultrasound-guided steroid injection (£350) into the carpal tunnel can resolve symptoms in many cases without surgery.
Open carpal tunnel release surgery
The gold standard treatment for moderate-to-severe carpal tunnel syndrome, especially when symptoms have failed to respond to non-surgical management. A small incision at the base of the palm releases the transverse carpal ligament, decompressing the median nerve. Performed under local anaesthetic in 15-30 minutes.
What to expect on the day.
A short video showing the carpal tunnel release procedure at Acorn Private Clinic.
Carpal tunnel release surgery being performed at Acorn Private Clinic, Penarth
Performed by a Consultant Hand Surgeon.
Not delegated. Not rushed. The surgeon who consults with you is the surgeon who operates on you.
Mr Angus Maclean
Mr Maclean is a Consultant Hand Surgeon specialising in carpal tunnel release, trigger finger, ganglion cyst excision, Dupuytren's contracture, tendon repair and complex hand surgery. He holds the European Hand Diploma in addition to his UK FRCS, and has performed thousands of carpal tunnel procedures across NHS and private practice.
View full profileFrom booking to recovery.
Most patients move from initial enquiry to pain-free in under 6 weeks.
Self-refer online
No GP referral needed. Book your pre-op consultation directly. We accept patients from across South Wales.
Pre-op consultation (£150)
Mr Maclean assesses your symptoms, reviews any nerve conduction studies, and confirms surgery is the right choice. Most patients are seen within 1 week.
Surgery (£1,200 per hand)
Local anaesthetic, 15-30 minutes, you stay awake. Performed in our modern operating theatre in Penarth.
Same-day home
You go home the same day. We provide simple aftercare instructions and our team is contactable if you have any questions.
Sutures out at 10-14 days
Quick follow-up to remove sutures and check healing. Night-time symptoms usually already resolved.
Final follow-up (FREE)
At 6 weeks Mr Maclean reviews your progress. Most patients have full strength and full resolution of symptoms.
What to expect week by week.
Realistic recovery expectations based on Mr Maclean's experience across thousands of carpal tunnel procedures.
Surgery day
15-30 minute procedure. Home in 1-2 hours. Mild discomfort manageable with paracetamol. Sleep with hand elevated.
Back to desk work
Most office-based patients return to work. Night-time tingling and numbness often already gone.
Driving
Most patients driving short distances. Dressing changed if needed. Use the hand for light tasks.
Sutures removed
Quick clinic visit. Scar starting to fade. Begin gentle finger and wrist exercises.
Heavy manual work
Manual workers (builders, mechanics, lifting) typically resume full duties. Final follow-up appointment.
Full strength
Grip strength fully recovered. Scar mostly invisible. You should be entirely pain-free.
The Acorn difference.
Award-winning private healthcare in South Wales. As seen on BBC.
Fast access
Most patients seen for pre-op within 1 week. Surgery within 2-4 weeks of consultation. Compare to NHS waiting times of 9-12+ months.
Consultant-led
Surgery performed by Mr Angus Maclean FRCS, not a trainee. The same surgeon you meet at consultation operates on you.
All-inclusive pricing
£1,200 covers everything: surgeon, theatre, anaesthetic, sutures, dressings, follow-up. No surprise extras.
HIW regulated
Acorn Private Clinic is regulated by Healthcare Inspectorate Wales. Mr Maclean is registered with the General Medical Council.
Award-winning
Vale of Glamorgan Business of the Year — Professional Services. 4.9★ from 376 Google reviews. Featured by BBC.
Insurance accepted
Bupa, AXA, WPA, Vitality, Aviva, Cigna and more. We help with pre-authorisation paperwork at no extra cost.
What patients say.
Verified reviews from real Acorn Private Clinic patients.
I have experienced Acorn Private Clinic that maintains the highest standards of medical care based on their expert surgeons and excellent resources. Whether the latest treatments or expert advice, you can expect everything a patient needs to get back to their best health.
Their nurses, clinicians, and support teams deliver exceptional patient care. They were with me every step of the way, tailoring the care around me and giving the peace of mind.
I attended the clinic on April 1st 2025 for a trigger finger release. From the outset everyone was friendly and professional. My procedure went smoothly, and I felt supported all the way through. I will definitely use them again for my medical needs and highly recommend them.
Very professional clinic. I felt safe and looked after by the team. I travelled far to the clinic, and am very pleased I did.
Carpal tunnel surgery FAQs.
The questions patients ask most often before booking.
How much does private carpal tunnel surgery cost in Cardiff?
At Acorn Private Clinic, the pre-operative consultation costs £150. Carpal tunnel release surgery on one hand costs £1,200, and both hands costs £2,200 (saving £200 vs two separate procedures). Follow-up appointments are FREE.
All prices are all-inclusive — covering the consultant surgeon, theatre, anaesthetic, sutures, dressings, and follow-up. No hidden fees.
Who performs the surgery?
Carpal tunnel release surgery at Acorn Private Clinic is performed by Mr Angus Maclean, Consultant Hand Surgeon. He holds FRCS (Tr & Orth) and the European Hand Diploma (MD Eur Hand Dip), and has performed thousands of carpal tunnel releases across NHS and private practice.
The same surgeon you meet at your pre-op consultation is the surgeon who operates on you — not a trainee or registrar.
Is it done under general anaesthetic?
No. Carpal tunnel release surgery at Acorn Private Clinic is performed under local anaesthetic only. You stay awake throughout. The procedure takes 15-30 minutes per hand.
You can go home the same day — most patients are home within 1-2 hours of arriving at the clinic.
How quickly can I have the surgery?
Most patients are seen for pre-op consultation within 1 week of self-referral. Surgery is typically scheduled 2-4 weeks after the consultation.
Total time from booking to procedure is usually 3-5 weeks — significantly faster than NHS waiting times which can be 12+ months.
How long is the recovery?
Most office-based patients return to work within 24-48 hours. Driving short distances is possible within 1 week. Heavy manual workers typically return to full duties at 4-6 weeks.
Night-time symptoms (tingling and numbness that wake you from sleep) often resolve within days of surgery. Full grip strength returns at 3 months.
Do I need a GP referral?
No GP referral is required. You can self-refer for carpal tunnel surgery directly online or by calling 029 2199 9300.
If you've had nerve conduction studies (NCS) done elsewhere, please bring the results to your consultation. If not, Mr Maclean can advise whether they're needed in your case.
What if I'm not suitable for surgery?
At your pre-op consultation, Mr Maclean will assess your symptoms and confirm whether surgery is the right treatment for you. For mild or early carpal tunnel, non-surgical options like wrist splinting, ultrasound-guided steroid injection (£350), or activity modification may resolve symptoms.
We will only recommend surgery if it's genuinely the best option. The £150 pre-op consultation is non-refundable, but you're under no obligation to proceed with surgery.
Does my health insurance cover it?
Yes. We accept Bupa, AXA Health, WPA, Vitality, Aviva, Cigna, Healix, Saga and Allianz for carpal tunnel surgery.
Contact your insurer for a pre-authorisation code before booking — we'll help with the paperwork at no extra cost.
Are both hands done at the same time?
Yes — if Mr Maclean considers it safe and appropriate. Bilateral (both hands) carpal tunnel surgery on the same day costs £2,200, saving £200 vs two separate procedures.
Some patients prefer to have one hand done first, then the other 2-4 weeks later. This is also fine — discuss it at your consultation.
What's the difference between open and endoscopic carpal tunnel release?
Acorn Private Clinic offers open carpal tunnel release — the gold standard procedure, with the strongest evidence base for long-term results and the lowest complication rate.
The small incision (2-3cm) at the base of the palm heals well and is barely visible after a few months. There is no clinical advantage of endoscopic over open release for most patients.
Stop the pain. Start the recovery.
Don't wait 12 months on the NHS. Book your pre-op consultation with Mr Maclean — most patients seen within 1 week.