Fowler JR, et al.
Multicenter pragmatic study of carpal tunnel release with ultrasound guidance. Expert Rev Med Devices. 2022;19(3):273-80. doi:10.1080/17434440.2022.2048816
To report changes in symptom severity and functional status, time to return to normal activities, work absenteeism, and complications using a large database of patients (APEX-CTR) who underwent carpal tunnel release with UtlraGuideCTR and real-time ultrasound guidance.
Six month follow up on 535 patients treated with UltraGuideCTR using ultrasound guidance, including 54 bilateral releases. 88% of procedures were performed using only local anesthesia. No major neurovascular complications were reported. The authors reported statistically and clinically significant improvements in QDASH, BCTQ-FSS and BCTQ-SSS at 2 weeks through 6 months. The median time to return to activities and return to work were 3 days and 5 days, respectively. Approximately 90% of patients were satisfied or very satisfied with the procedure at 2 weeks through 6 months.
In real-world clinical practice, carpal tunnel release with ultrasound guidance demonstrated significant and clinically meaningful improvements in symptoms and function, as well as a rapid return to normal activities, minimal work absenteeism, and excellent safety profile.