EAGAN, Minn., June 9, 2026
Sonex Health, Inc. and The Institute of Advanced Ultrasound Guided Procedures have announced the publication of six-month data from the largest prospective U.S. study ever conducted on ultrasound-guided carpal tunnel release (UGCTR), demonstrating compelling real-world outcomes for patients treated with the company’s UltraGuideCTR™ technology. Published in the Journal of Hand Surgery Global Online, the findings from the MISSION registry provide robust evidence supporting the safety, efficacy, and patient-centered benefits of ultrasound-guided treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). The study represents a significant milestone for minimally invasive hand surgery and highlights the growing role of ultrasound-guided procedures in improving recovery times, patient satisfaction, and healthcare efficiency.
Largest U.S. Prospective Study Demonstrates Strong Clinical Outcomes
The MISSION registry (Post-Market RegIStry of the Patient Experience when uSing UltraGuIdeCTR fOr Carpal TuNnel Release) is a multicenter, prospective study evaluating real-world outcomes among CTS patients treated using UltraGuideCTR, endoscopic carpal tunnel release (ECTR), or open carpal tunnel release (OCTR). The newly published six-month analysis includes 887 patients and 1,082 treated hands across 22 clinical sites in the United States, making it the largest prospective carpal tunnel release study ever conducted in the country.
Results showed that patients undergoing UGCTR experienced rapid and sustained improvements in symptoms, hand function, and pain relief, with benefits maintained through six months of follow-up. Researchers reported a median return to normal activities of just three days and a median return to work of four days, highlighting the procedure’s ability to accelerate recovery and minimize disruption to patients’ daily lives. At six months, overall patient satisfaction reached 89.9%, reinforcing the effectiveness of the ultrasound-guided approach in routine clinical practice.
Minimally Invasive Procedure Supports Faster Recovery and High Satisfaction
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A key differentiator of the UltraGuideCTR™ procedure is its minimally invasive nature. The study revealed that 82.1% of procedures were performed using only local anesthesia, commonly referred to as WALANT (Wide Awake Local Anesthesia No Tourniquet), reducing the need for more complex anesthesia methods. Procedures were completed through an average 5 mm wrist incision, with 90% of cases requiring no sutures, contributing to reduced wound discomfort and improved cosmetic outcomes. Notably, the registry demonstrated that 22% of patients underwent simultaneous bilateral treatment, allowing both hands to be treated during a single procedure while achieving outcomes comparable to unilateral interventions.
Importantly, investigators reported no intraoperative complications and no serious adverse events, underscoring the safety profile of the ultrasound-guided technique. Researchers emphasized that the combination of rapid recovery, minimal invasiveness, and strong patient satisfaction may offer meaningful advantages over traditional surgical approaches.
Growing Evidence Base Strengthens Adoption of Ultrasound-Guided Surgery
The publication further expands the growing body of evidence supporting ultrasound-guided carpal tunnel release. According to Sonex Health, the latest findings add to 18 peer-reviewed clinical publications involving more than 1,400 patients and 2,000 treated hands. Comparative studies evaluating UGCTR against both open and endoscopic techniques have consistently demonstrated benefits such as higher utilization of local anesthesia, smaller incisions, reduced opioid use, less wound pain and sensitivity, greater suture-free closure rates, and improved patient satisfaction. Investigators noted that the procedure may also generate broader healthcare system benefits by reducing recovery-related costs and minimizing time away from work, particularly important given that CTS-related healthcare expenditures exceed $2 billion annually in the United States.
Company executives stated that the new data reinforce Sonex Health’s commitment to advancing ultrasound-guided surgical innovation and supporting evidence-based adoption among physicians, healthcare providers, patients, and payors. As minimally invasive technologies continue to transform musculoskeletal care, the MISSION registry establishes a new benchmark for clinical outcomes in carpal tunnel treatment and strengthens the case for broader integration of ultrasound-guided procedures into routine practice.
Source: Sonex Health press release
