Carpal Tunnel Release with Ultrasound Guidance

One of the newest procedures that’s been growing over the past couple years is a carpal tunnel release procedure under ultrasound guidance. Historically, the carpal tunnel release procedure has been done in an open fashion –which requires the surgeon to cut through the palm of the skin to visualize the carpal tunnel before cutting the transverse carpal ligament. One of the problems with open carpal tunnel release surgery, is that when the palm of the skin is cut, it requires a longer recovery time, and can involve significant post-operative pain and immobility.

More recently we’ve developed a carpal tunnel release under ultrasound guidance. This allows us to directly visualize the carpal tunnel through the skin. We make a very small incision into the skin at the wrist (instead of in the palm) which allows the skin heal a lot quicker. We’ve had great results. Patients have been extremely satisfied and they’ve been getting back to things they enjoy doing within days of the procedure with minimal symptoms.

Before we perform the ultrasound guided carpal tunnel release procedure, we’ll perform a diagnostic musculoskeletal ultrasound in the office to see if you’re a candidate for the procedure. During this evaluation we will show you exactly the cause of the problem. Oftentimes the nerve is getting compressed under the carpal tunnel, which we can see directly with ultrasound. We can see if it’s diseased or not – and then also make an assessment if you’re a candidate for the ultrasound guided carpal tunnel release procedure while in the office. We will then refer you to have an EMG test. That test involves you going to see a practitioner that will test the nerves and muscles – that will allow us to see how diseased or how damaged the nerve is in the palm. Following this test, we can set you up to have the procedure done at our facility. The procedure is done as an outpatient procedure and you go home the same day with a small bandage over the site of the procedure. Typically, patients are back to their normal activities within 5 days.

Learn more about Carpal Tunnel Syndrome treatments