Paul Hollywood has said he will need surgery on his hands to treat a "severe" condition he has had for roughly 12 years. The celebrity chef took to Instagram to explain why he was recently spotted wearing wrist and arm supports at the airport.
The 60-year-old said he has Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS), a common condition caused by pressure on the median nerve as it passes through a narrow, rigid passageway of bones and ligaments in the wrist known as the carpal tunnel.
Revealing the diagnosis
Paul told his fans on social media: "A quick chat. There was a pap at the airport when I got back from holiday. They caught me with one of these straps on. I normally wear them on them both, to be honest."
He added: "Basically, I've got Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. I was diagnosed about 12 years ago now. It's severe in both. And it's down to my job, basically, from working on the table with dough, manipulating dough for over 30 years. Yeah, so occasionally it flares up, and I wear a brace."
Cause and aggravation
Paul added that the issue was further aggravated when he recently hit the top of his hand during a race-car test drive while the steering wheel spun. He said the wrist and arm supports help him during flare-ups.
While he has previously delayed the operation due to fear of the procedure and his active hobbies, the Great British Bake Off (GBBO) judge said he will "have to bite the bullet soon and get the operation done on both of my hands" to feel better. He shared the clip on Instagram with the caption "A quick chat."
Fan support and NHS guidance
Many fans expressed their support for Paul in the comment section, with one writing: "Aww, that's sucks, Paul, get well soon." Another said: "Don't wait on surgery. It's simple and prevents more permanent nerve damage and muscle wasting."
A third shared: "I've had the surgery. Well worth it." One more added: "I had the same thing from years of baking. Got surgery on both and now it way better. It is a super easy and day thing in and out. Go do it Paul, you will wonder why u waited to long." A fan told Paul: "I've had the surgery on both hands and no problems since. The surgeries were easy and I had a quick recovery! Get it done soon and you will feel much better!!"
As explained by the NHS, the symptoms of CTS include an ache or pain in your fingers, hand or arm, numb hands, tingling or pins and needles and a weak thumb or difficulty gripping. Wearing a wrist splint or doing hand exercises may help, but if symptoms get worse and other treatments don't work, patients may be referred to a specialist to discuss surgery.
"Surgery usually cures CTS. You and your specialist will decide together if it's the right treatment for you," the NHS says on its website. "An injection numbs your wrist so you do not feel pain (local anaesthetic) and a small cut is made in your hand. The carpal tunnel inside your wrist is cut so it no longer puts pressure on the nerve. The operation takes around 20 minutes and you do not have to stay in hospital overnight. It can take a month after the operation to get back to normal activities."
