Office-Based Carpal Tunnel Release Using Ultrasound Guidance in a Community Setting: Long-Term Results

Abstract

Objectives To report the safety and effectiveness of office-based carpal tunnel release (CTR) using ultrasound (US) guidance in a general community population. Methods This was a prospective single-center study that evaluated patients treated with CTR using US guidance between March 2019 and August 2020 for whom one-year data were available. Procedures were performed in an office-based procedure room using local anesthesia. Main outcomes of this study included complications, Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire scores (BCTQ-SSS, BCTQ-FSS) and Quick Disabilities of the Shoulder and Hand (QDASH) scores. Results Among 88 patients (123 hands) aged 30 to 89 years with available one-year data, 29 patients had simultaneous bilateral procedures. No intraoperative complications were reported. Statistically significant and clinically important improvements in BCTQ-SSS, BCTQ-FSS and QDASH scores occurred within two weeks and persisted through one year of follow-up (p < 0.001). Outcomes were similar for simultaneous bilateral releases. During follow-up, one patient developed complex regional pain syndrome that was successfully treated and subsequently had CTR using US guidance on the contralateral hand. No other complications were observed during one-year follow-up. Conclusion Office-based CTR using US guidance is safe, effective and provides sustained clinical improvements at one-year follow-up in a community population. Simultaneous bilateral procedures were well-tolerated and resulted in similar clinical improvements.