Minimally invasive ultrasound-guided thread carpal tunnel release: a video demonstration protocol

Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common compressive peripheral neuropathy, often requiring surgical treatment. Recently, ultrasound-guided thread carpal tunnel release has become an attractive minimally invasive alternative to the traditional surgical approaches. This incision-less technique utilizes an abrasive thread and a Tuohy needle to achieve division of the transverse carpal ligament while sparing adjacent soft tissue to decrease post-procedural pain and enhance recovery. Although several step-by-step descriptions of the technique have been published in recent years, no video demonstration of the procedure and the pre-procedure scanning needed for surgical planning exists. This paper aims to provide a video-based guide to ultrasound-guided thread carpal tunnel release and propose a pre-procedure scanning protocol for physicians considering implementing this procedure into their practice.