Multicenter pragmatic study of carpal tunnel release with ultrasound guidance
John R. Fowler, Kevin C. Chung, Larry E. Miller
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To report outcomes of patients who underwent carpal tunnel release with ultrasound guidance (CTR-US) in routine clinical practice. METHODS: This was a multicenter post-market registry of patients treated with CTR-US. Main outcomes included the Quick Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Questionnaire (QDASH), Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire Symptom Severity Scale (BCTQ-SSS) and Functional Status Scale (BCTQ-FSS), return to normal activities, return to work, and complications. RESULTS: Of 535 patients who provided follow-up data, 373 (70%) were followed for 6 months post-treatment. Among these 373 patients (427 hands, mean age 55 years, 71% female), QDASH scores decreased by 30.8 points, BCTQ-SSS scores decreased by 1.6 points, and BCTQ-FSS scores decreased by 1.0 points at 6 months (all p < 0.001). The median time to return to normal activities was 3 days and time to return to work was 5 days. Subgroup analysis revealed consistent outcomes regardless of age group, sex, body mass index, diabetes, tobacco use, worker compensation status, or procedure type (unilateral/bilateral simultaneous). No major neurovascular complications were reported. CONCLUSION: Patients treated with CTR-US reported clinically meaningful improvements in symptoms and function, rapid return to normal activities, and minimal work absenteeism, with an excellent safety profile.