Clinical Research Directory

Clinical Outcomes of USCTR vs. mOCTR

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common peripheral entrapment neuropathy and affects 3-6% of adults in the United States. In patients with severe or refractory symptoms, carpal tunnel release (CTR) represents the definitive management option, and over 550,000 CTRs are performed annually in the United States with over 90% of patients reporting clinical improvement. Currently available CTR techniques include mini-open CTR via a single, 1-3 cm palmar incision (mOCTR), endoscopic CTR via one (wrist) or two (wrist and palm) 1-2 cm incisions (ECTR), and ultrasound guided CTR via a single \< 1 cm wrist or palmar incision (USCTR or CTR-US). The primary objective is to assess the impact of USCTR vs mOCTR in a military population. Investigators hypothesize that USCTR using the SX-One MicroKnife, also known as UltraGuideCTR, will safely and non-inferiorly improve symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome compared to traditional mOCTR, without greater less loss of military duty days. This study is a single-site randomized controlled trial. Participants with CTS will be randomized to a study arm and receive treatment with USCTR vs. traditional mOCTR. All patients will be followed for a period of 24 months with respect to standard clinical data, military relevant data, and validated patient related outcome measures (PROMs). Data will be collected at 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks, 1 month, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months, and 24 months post-CTR procedure, with the primary focus being on outcomes up to 1 year.

Concordance for Transthyretin Amyloidosis Between Synovial Biopsy and Anterior Carpal Ligament Biopsy

Transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTR) is an underdiagnosed condition that can present early as carpal tunnel syndrome, sometimes preceding cardiac involvement by several years. The recent emergence of new treatments underscores the importance of early diagnosis. Synovial biopsy performed during open carpal tunnel surgery is considered the gold standard for local screening, but it is less accessible, more difficult, and riskier to perform via endoscopy-a minimally invasive surgical technique that is currently the standard at our center and is becoming increasingly widespread. The anterior annular ligament of the carpus constitutes an alternative tissue to the synovium, easily accessible via endoscopy, safe, and standardizable. In this study, the systematic performance of an annular ligament biopsy in conjunction with a synovial biopsy during endoscopic carpal tunnel surgery would allow for the evaluation of the diagnostic concordance of the ligament biopsy by comparing it to the results obtained using the gold standard method. This strategy would also provide an opportunity to analyze the feasibility of systematic screening for ATTR on the ligament during endoscopic procedures. This approach could offer a practical and innovative method for the early identification of at-risk patients and facilitate appropriate and timely management of the condition.

Short- to Medium-term Outcome of Minimally Invasive Carpal Tunnel Release

The aim of the study is to determine whether minimally invasive, ultrasound-guided thread carpal tunnel release leads to faster functional recovery compared to standard open and endoscopic techniques in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome.

Dexmedetomidine, Ozone and Dexamethasone Local Injection in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome for Pain Relief

The aim of the present study is to compare the analgesic efficacy of Dexmedetomidine, Ozone and Dexamethasone regional injection in carpal tunnel syndrome.

The ACTS Trial: N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and Night-splinting as a Non-operative Treatment for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common nerve compression syndrome worldwide, causing significant chronic pain, functional impairment, and lowered quality of life for individuals of various backgrounds. CTS is caused by chronic compression of the median nerve in the carpal tunnel of the wrist, causing numbness and pain in the palm, thumb, index, and middle fingers and eventual weakness of the hand. Many different treatments for CTS have been proposed and studied, including but not limited to non-operative treatments such as wrist splinting, steroid injections, and lifestyle modifications as well as operative treatments, such as surgical carpal tunnel release (CTR). To date, very few oral medications have been shown to be effective as conservative treatments for CTS. In this study the investigators will examine whether there is any benefit to using oral N-acetylcysteine (NAC) as an adjunctive treatment for mild to moderate CTS in addition to a standard 8-week trial of night splinting. NAC has been used in humans for various purposes, is extremely safe and has very few side effects, and has been shown to have anti-inflammation properties which may help treat CTS. The investigators will study this by performing a randomized controlled trial, comparing patients receiving oral NAC and standard night splinting to patients receiving an identical placebo and standard night splinting. Both patient groups will be assessed using a questionnaire to assess for severity of their CTS symptoms both before and after the 8-week treatment. The primary objective will be to determine whether supplementation with oral NAC in addition to night splinting has any significant impact on patient-reported symptoms and functional impairment when compared to night splinting alone. The investigators will also measure secondary outcomes including whether patients decide to have surgery for their CTS after treatment and/or continued use of other treatments. This study has the potential to have a significant positive impact on patients by identifying a safe, inexpensive, accessible, and well tolerated conservative treatment for mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome, and potentially preventing the need for additional, more invasive treatments such as surgery.