An observational study in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS), sponsored by AUVA General Trauma Hospital Salzburg. Recruiting at 2 sites in Austria. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-09-11.
Sponsored by AUVA General Trauma Hospital Salzburg · Observational
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Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is the most prevalent entrapment neuropathy. Open Surgical Carpal Tunnel Release (OSCTR) remains the gold standard, while minimally invasive Ultrasound-Guided Carpal Tunnel Release (USGCTR) offers potential advantages including reduced postoperative morbidity and faster recovery. This prospective, multicenter observational cohort study compares the clinical outcomes, patient-reported outcomes, and socioeconomic impact of USGCTR versus OSCTR. A total of 200 patients, with 100 patients per cohort, will be included. Patient assignment is based on the participating center's standard of care. Follow-up assessments are performed preoperatively and at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, and 12 months after surgery.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is the most common compression neuropathy of the median nerve. Open Surgical Carpal Tunnel Release (OSCTR) has been established as the clinical gold standard. However, the procedure is associated with a palmar incision and may result in scar pain, including pillar pain, and delayed return to manual activities.
Ultrasound-Guided Carpal Tunnel Release (USGCTR) is a minimally invasive technique that permits division of the flexor retinaculum under continuous sonographic visualization through a minimal incision at the distal forearm or wrist crease. Potential advantages include avoidance of a painful scar in the load-bearing area of the hand and potentially faster recovery.
The study aims to compare functional recovery and symptom relief following OSCTR versus USGCTR. Secondary objectives include comparison of postoperative pain, subjective outcome, return to work, patient satisfaction, and complication rates.
This is a prospective, multicenter observational cohort study. Patients are not randomized. Assignment to the two cohorts is determined by the participating treatment center and its respective standard procedure. Patients choose the treatment center based on referral by their previously treating neurologist or on personal information. The study team does not influence this decision. Both procedures are established standard procedures routinely performed at the respective institutions.
589 studies on the registry are indexed under Carpal Tunnel Syndrome; 134 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 200 is above the median of 92 across 131 observational studies indexed under Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
Browse Carpal Tunnel Syndrome studies →This is the only study on the registry with AUVA General Trauma Hospital Salzburg as lead sponsor.
Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.
Participants will be recruited during routine clinical consultations at the outpatient clinics of the participating centers. Patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria will be informed about the study by their treating physicians. Participation is voluntary and does not affect the quality of medical care.
Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.
Exclusion Criteria:
Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
Informed consent
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Patients undergoing open surgical decompression at AUVA Unfallkrankenhaus Salzburg as the standard procedure of the participating center.
Procedure: Open Surgical Carpal Tunnel Release (OSCTR)
Patients undergoing minimally invasive ultrasound-guided carpal tunnel release at the University Institute of Radiology, Paracelsus Medical Private University Salzburg, as the standard procedure of the participating center.
Procedure: Ultrasound-Guided Carpal Tunnel Release (USGCTR)
Open surgical decompression of the carpal tunnel (OSCTR) is performed at UKH Salzburg as the established standard surgical treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome. The procedure involves open surgical release of the flexor retinaculum. Intraoperative findings and immediate complications are documented.
Ultrasound-guided carpal tunnel release (USGCTR) is performed at the University Institute of Radiology of the Paracelsus Medical Private University. The minimally invasive procedure involves release of the flexor retinaculum under continuous sonographic visualization through a minimal incision at the distal forearm or wrist crease. Intraoperative findings and immediate complications are documented.
Change in Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ) Score
Mean difference in the change in the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ) score, combining the Symptom Severity Scale and Functional Status Scale, from the preoperative assessment (T0) to the 3-month postoperative assessment (T3).
Time frame: Baseline to 3 months postoperatively
Pain Intensity - Visual Analog Scale (VAS), 0-10
Change in pain intensity measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), ranging from 0 to 10.
Time frame: Preoperatively and at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, and 12 months postoperatively
Subjective Hand Function - Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE), 0-100%
Subjective hand function measured using the Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE), ranging from 0 to 100%.
Time frame: Preoperatively and at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, and 12 months postoperatively
Time to Full Return to Work - Number of Days After Surgery
Number of days from surgery until full return to work.
Time frame: Up to 3 months postoperatively
Postoperative Complications - Frequency of Wound Infection, Persistent Numbness, and Revision Surgery
Frequency of wound infections, persistent numbness, or required revision procedures.
Time frame: Within 12 months after surgery
PDFs hosted by the registry, ClinicalTrials.gov.
Plan to share: Undecided
Started Jun 2026 (actual). Primary completion is estimated for Jun 2028, 24 months after the start.
Of 38 non-industry observational studies under Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, half reached primary completion within 13 months of starting (the median), counting those still running; a quarter within 8 and three quarters within 47. This study's planned 24 months is above that.
Counting every sponsor, half of 40 studies reached it within 13 months; a quarter within 8 and three quarters within 47.
How these figures are worked out, and which studies are left out of them.
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