Hernia Surgery
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

What is a hernia?

Hernias are typically harmless, however they will not go away on their own and surgery is the only permanent cure.

A hernia is a bulge or abnormal protrusion of the abdominal wall. They develop at a point of weakness in the wall, or where there is a defect in the muscle. As the hernia enlarges a bulge appears which is most easily seen when standing or coughing. Lying down allows the tissue to return to its proper position, and the bulge may disappear temporarily.

Hernias typically contain abdominal fatty tissue or bowel, enclosed within a thin membrane or sac called the peritoneum. This normally lines the inside of the abdominal cavity.

The most common areas to develop a visible hernia are the lower abdomen (inguinal) and groin (femoral), which may give rise to a painful lump under the skin.

What are the symptoms of a hernia?

A hernia does not usually cause significant pain, however when you strain your abdominal muscles and it appears, it can feel tender. Sometimes, you may experience a slight burning sensation or a feeling of heaviness in the bulge.

You may have a reducing hernia if the bulge disappears when you lie down or if you can push it back in. On the other hand, if the bulge stays out, it is considered irreducible. Most importantly, if you feel worsening pain, you must contact your GP immediately. This could mean the hernia is ‘stuck’ (strangulated), which can damage tissue and requires emergency surgery.

Why do hernias develop?

There are many things that can cause a weakness in the abdominal wall including:

Increase in abdominal pressure from coughing, straining or lifting
Pregnancy
Muscle tears or injuries
Congenital or birth weakness
Excessive weight
Previous surgery
Age

What types of hernia can we treat?

There are many different types of hernias. The type is defined by where the hernia occurs on the body, with the majority occurring in the abdominal wall.

Here at Cumbria Surgical Services, we provider hernia repair surgery and can help with the majority of cases, including – Inguinal, Femoral, Umbilical, Epigastric and Spigelian.

For now, we will not be able to assist with incisional hernias (those that occur in a scar from a previous operation), sports hernias (not strictly a hernia but chronic groin pain usually associated with exercise), nor re-occurring hernias.

What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common condition causing pain, numbness, and tingling in the hand.

Compression of the median nerve as it passes through the carpal tunnel in the wrist triggers a “pins and needles” sensation in the fingers and thumbs.

The condition typically affects the thumb, index, middle, and half of the ring finger. It often causes weakness, difficulty gripping, and an aching pain that can travel up the forearm. These symptoms often worsen at night or during activities like driving.

Various factors can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome. The space in the carpal tunnel becomes reduced, or the volume of its contents increases. Repetitive hand movements, trauma, pregnancy, and certain medical conditions commonly contribute to the problem.

How can we help?

We provide a unique ‘one-stop shop’ to treat your carpal tunnel syndrome. Because the procedure is quick and straightforward, surgeons can perform it at the end of your initial consultation if you choose.

The first step is to complete a short questionnaire with us to assess the diagnosis and severity of the syndrome. This can either be done online or on the phone with our team. Depending on the outcome we can offer a number of resolutions to your problem.

For mild syndromes, a non-surgical option can be provided. This includes a steroid injection which can alleviate your symptoms for good, alongside the use of a night splint.
For moderate to severe cases, a decompression will be offered. This can be performed during the same consultation appointment, eliminating the need for a separate surgical appointment. The procedure is a surgical decompression and involves making a small cut in the ligament to relieve pressure on the nerve.
If you’ve had a previous steroid injection which has failed to help, or your symptoms have come back (recurred), a decompression will also be offered.
In some instances carpal tunnel syndrome can resolve itself in time, most commonly where it has developed during pregnancy.

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