New wrap may shield nerves during second elbow surgery
NCT ID NCT06117501
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study looks at whether a special nerve wrap can help people who need a second surgery for cubital tunnel syndrome, a condition where a nerve in the elbow gets compressed. Twenty adults with ongoing pain or numbness after their first surgery will receive the nerve protector during their revision procedure. Researchers will track pain, strength, and quality of life for up to 18 months to see if the wrap improves recovery.
Why investors are watching
Axogen is testing its Axoguard HA+ Nerve Protector in a small 20-patient study for people needing a first revision of cubital tunnel decompression, a procedure to ease pressure on the ulnar nerve in the elbow. For a small company like Axogen, this readout matters because it could show whether the product helps reduce pain and improve function in a repeat surgery setting, which would support broader use of the device.
If it works: If the results show clear symptom relief and good functional outcomes, Axogen could use the data to encourage more surgeons to adopt the nerve protector in revision cases, potentially expanding sales of the product.
If it fails: The study is small and has no comparison group, so even positive results may not convince many surgeons. If the results are weak or the study stalls, Axogen gains little commercial benefit, and the product may not gain traction in this niche use.
AI-written from the trial record. Speculative, and not investment advice.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
-
About 20 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
-
Oct 2023
- Expected to finish
-
Dec 2026
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
-
A company
The lead sponsor is a pharmaceutical, biotech, or medical-device company.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
-
18 years and older
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Be ≥ 18 years of age; 2. Have symptoms of ulnar nerve neuropathy near the elbow present at 180 days or greater following a primary cubital tunnel decompression procedure. 3. Be eligible for surgical intervention; 4. Have a preoperative diagnostic such as a nerve conduction study, electromyography, or ultrasound evaluation documenting ulnar neuropathy at the elbow; 5. Have a baseline pain visual analogue scale (VAS) score due to ulnar nerve neuropathy of no less than 40/100 mm for the affected elbow; 6. Have at least one of the following: * Paresthesia or numbness in the ulnar nerve distribution; * Weakness or wasting of the small muscles of the hand (full hand muscle wasting is excluded); * A positive elbow flexion provocation test. 7. Undergo a first revision cubital tunnel decompression surgery with placement of Axoguard HA+ Nerve Protector circumferentially around the section of ulnar nerve affected by neuropathy; 8. Be willing and able to comply with all aspects of the treatment and evaluation schedule over 18 months; and 9. Sign and date an Institutional Review Board (IRB)/Independent Ethics Committee (IEC)-approved written informed consent prior to initiation of any study procedures. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Have had a previous revision cubital tunnel decompression procedure; 2. Have documented evidence of concomitant neuropathic conditions affecting the subject arm or any proximal condition affecting the subject arm including, but not limited to: * Previously treated carpal tunnel syndrome with unresolved symptoms or current carpal tunnel syndrome that will not be treated concurrently with the revision cubital tunnel; * Cervical or brachial plexus abnormalities or injuries; * Cervical spine or shoulder disease; * Thoracic outlet syndrome; * Complex regional pain syndrome; * Polyneuropathy, systemic neuropathy or Lyme disease related neuropathy; * Previous or current surgery of the ulnar nerve at the wrist (Guyon's canal release) * Ulnar nerve compression at the wrist/Guyon's canal; 3. Have current trauma or past trauma with ongoing pathology that interferes with evaluation or treatment of the ulnar nerve to either side shoulder or upper extremity; 4. Have previous radiofrequency ablation, presence of nerve stimulator or received nerve implant(s) in the subject arm or be receiving an implant(s) other than Axoguard HA+ Nerve Protector during the study surgical procedure, that will impact the ulnar nerve or planned study evaluations; 5. Have a condition(s) that could confound assessments or health-related quality of life including, but not limited to: * Rheumatoid arthritis * Fibromyalgia * Connective tissue disorder * Wrist tenosynovitis 6. Be a smoker or tobacco user; 7. Currently have or have a history of alcohol or drug abuse; 8. Have uncontrolled Diabetes Mellitus at the discretion of the treating surgeon or have diabetic neuropathy in the upper extremities; 9. Have documented poorly controlled hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism; 10. Have a known sensitivity to porcine derived materials or those containing hyaluronate or alginate or their components; 11. Be currently taking or likely to need medication(s) that may cause or contribute to peripheral neuropathy or peripheral nerve dysfunction at the discretion of the treating surgeon; 12. Be taking prescribed medication(s) including, but not limited to, narcotics 2 or more times per week for the treatment of chronic pain or chronic nerve related symptoms NOT associated with the subject ulnar nerve neuropathy; or 13. Be deemed unsuitable for inclusion in the study at the discretion of the investigator.
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for Recalcitrant cubital tunnel syndrome are added.
By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Cleveland Clinic
Cleveland, Ohio, 44195, United States
-
Foundation for Orthopaedic Research and Education (Florida Orthopaedic Institute)
Tampa, Florida, 33607, United States
-
Indiana Hand to Shoulder Center
Indianapolis, Indiana, 46260, United States
-
Optim Orthopedics
Savannah, Georgia, 31405, United States
-
Rothman Orthopaedics
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19107, United States
-
University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, New Mexico, 87131, United States
-
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, Utah, 84132, United States