New ultrasound procedure could free patients from carpal tunnel pain without surgery
NCT ID NCT05675046
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tested a new way to treat carpal tunnel syndrome using ultrasound guidance to perform the release procedure right in the doctor's office. 149 adults with carpal tunnel syndrome who had not improved with other treatments took part. The goal was to see if this office-based approach could safely reduce symptoms and speed up return to daily activities.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- UltraGuideCTR device (ultrasound-guided carpal tunnel release procedure)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could offer a less invasive, office-based option for carpal tunnel release, potentially reducing recovery time and avoiding hospital visits.
- What could go wrong
- This was a single-arm study without a comparison group, so results may not prove superiority over standard surgery. Long-term outcomes and rare complications need further study.
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
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149 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Feb 2023
- Finished
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Aug 2025
- Lead sponsor
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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
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18 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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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. ≥18 years of age 2. Clinical diagnosis of unilateral or bilateral idiopathic CTS 3. CTS-6 score \>12 in target hand\* 4. Median nerve cross-sectional area ≥10 mm2 in the proximal carpal tunnel region of the target hand measured by diagnostic ultrasound\* 5. Prior failure of one or more nonsurgical treatment options (e.g., physical activity modification, bracing, splinting, corticosteroid injection)\* 6. Subject agrees to complete follow-up questionnaires over a 24-month period 7. Subject has a valid smart phone number and/or email address to receive and answer follow-up questionnaires Exclusion Criteria: 1. Prior surgery on the target wrist or hand with the exception of (a) trigger finger release or similar minor finger procedure (e.g., digital ganglion cyst removal, foreign body removal) that has clinically recovered, or release for DeQuervain's syndrome (1st dorsal compartment) that has clinically recovered\* 2. History of prior surgical CTR in the target hand\* 3. History of infection in the target hand\* 4. History of prior surgery in the non-target hand, including CTR, within 3 months of enrollment or with persistent symptoms that interfere with normal daily activities or work at the time of consent 5. Planned surgical or interventional procedure on the contralateral hand within 3 months of the target hand procedure date\* 6. Corticosteroid injection in the target hand within 6 weeks of study procedure date\* 7. Presence of additional process in the target hand requiring additional intervention beyond carpal tunnel release (e.g. neurolysis, mass removal, tenosynovectomy)\* 8. Clinically significant degenerative arthritis of the upper limb (shoulder to hand) on the target side\* 9. Clinically significant inflammatory disease (including tenosynovitis) of the upper limb (shoulder to hand) on the target side\* 10. Clinically significant trauma or deformity of the upper limb (shoulder to hand) on the target side\* 11. Clinically significant vascular disease (including Raynaud's phenomenon) of the upper limb (shoulder to hand) on the target side\* 12. Clinically significant neurological disorder (including complex regional pain syndrome) of the upper limb (shoulder to hand) on the target side\* 13. Systemic inflammatory disease (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, lupus) 14. Amyloidosis 15. Chronic renal insufficiency requiring dialysis 16. Diabetes not controlled by a stable dose of medication 17. Uncontrolled thyroid disease 18. Pregnant or planning pregnancy in the next 24 months 19. Workers' compensation subjects 20. Inability to provide a legally acceptable Informed Consent Form and/or comply with all follow-up requirements 21. Subject has other medical, social, or psychological conditions that, in the opinion of the investigator, preclude them from receiving the pre-treatment, required treatment, and post-treatment procedures and evaluations Note: An asterisk (\*) denotes that this criterion must be applied to the target hand for unilateral CTR-US procedures, or to both hands for simultaneous bilateral CTR-US procedures. Clinically significant is defined as likely to interfere with the performance of the procedure in a safe and/or effective manner.
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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
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Bluegrass Orthopaedics
Lexington, Kentucky, 40509, United States
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Georgia Hand, Shoulder & Elbow
Atlanta, Georgia, 30309, United States
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New Braunfels Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine
New Braunfels, Texas, 78130, United States
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Orthopedic Associates
Fort Walton Beach, Florida, 32547, United States
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The Bone & Joint Surgery Clinic
Raleigh, North Carolina, 27609, United States
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University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Las Vegas, Nevada, 89128, United States
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Vero Orthopaedics
Vero Beach, Florida, 32960, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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- One size Doesn't fit all: could pain 'Phenotypes' unlock better carpal tunnel care?
- Ultrasound may reveal hidden clues in carpal tunnel syndrome