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Surgical treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common condition affecting the hand and wrist, which causes pa...
Mr Alex Reid is a consultant plastic and hand surgeon based in Cambridge, with advanced fellowship training in hand surgery and skin surgery. He specialises in hand surgery, nerve injuries of the upper limb, and skin surgery.
He provides expert care for adults, helping patients restore hand function, mobility and confidence after injuries, degenerative conditions, or skin concerns, using advanced reconstructive and microsurgical techniques to achieve the best possible functional outcomes.
He is a key member of the major trauma team at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, providing specialist care for complex hand and upper limb injuries, including microsurgical reconstruction. In addition, Mr Reid specialises in skin and soft tissue surgery, managing moles, cysts, lipomas, warts and skin cancers, including basal cell carcinoma and other malignant lesions.
Across his practice, he undertakes approximately 1,600 outpatient consultations annually and performs or supervises over 600 surgical procedures, including carpal tunnel surgery, Dupuytren’s disease surgery, joint replacement, and a range of advanced hand and skin procedures, frequently using WALANT techniques. He performs approximately 140 carpal tunnel procedures per year as part of a high-volume elective hand surgery practice.
He established and leads the Ely Hand Clinic, improving access to specialist hand surgery services across East Cambridgeshire. In 2023, he led and implemented the design of a patient pathway and hand trauma workflow for the department to improve coordination and efficiency within the hand trauma service. In the same year, he led the successful FESSH accreditation process for Addenbrooke’s Hospital as a recognised hand replantation centre (2023–2028), resulting in the formal recognition of the unit as a specialist centre for complex reconstructive hand surgery.
He has been recognised for excellence in teaching, receiving the Cambridge University Clinical School Excellent Teaching Award, and his clinical expertise has been highlighted by national media outlets including the BBC and ITV.
He trained in plastic and reconstructive surgery in the UK before becoming a Consultant Plastic Surgeon initially at Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust (Chelmsford), prior to moving to Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
He holds dual specialist qualifications in hand surgery:
• Diploma in Hand Surgery (UK)
• Diploma in Hand Surgery (European)
He is actively involved in training and assessment of the next generation of surgeons and has held academic and teaching posts including:
• By-Fellow and Tutor, Hughes Hall, University of Cambridge (current)
• Former Honorary Lecturer, University College London
• Approved Tutor for the British Society for Surgery of the Hand Diploma Programme
He is also a member of the Faculty of Surgical Trainers at the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. Committed to patient-centred care, Mr Reid ensures that every patient receives personalised treatment tailored to their condition and goals. He sees adult patients for a broad range of hand, nerve, and skin conditions, providing expertise, compassion, and modern surgical techniques in Cambridge.
Outside of clinical practice, he maintains a strong interest in music and performance as a pianist. He has a particular interest in the care of musicians and performing artists with hand conditions. He is approved to run national clinics through the British Association for Performing Arts Medicine (BAPAM), focusing on the assessment and treatment of performance-related upper limb conditions.

Medical insurances accepted