Creating a Practice Patients Trust
To Dr. Jacob Jabbour, patient safety and positive patient experience are his top priorities. That’s why in 2022 the Connecticut-based hand surgeon became the first clinician in the area to offer trigger finger release (TFR) with ultrasound guidance using Sonex Health’s UltraGuideTFR™ technology. It went so well that the following year, he added a complementary technology – UltraGuideCTR™ for his patients who need carpal tunnel release (CTR) procedures.
“We have had such a low complication rate with these procedures,” says Dr. Jabbour. “And they’re as effective or more effective than the traditional surgical approaches because patients have an absolutely quicker recovery, less pain, and they’re really thrilled with their outcomes.”
No Operating Rooms
Dr. Jabbour notes that the biggest change for him with these technologies is that he can perform the procedures in his office rather than in an operating room. “This has removed the scheduling issues and limitations of offsite operating rooms and has allowed me to bring the procedures into an office space with familiar faces I work with every day.”
And since these CTR and TFR procedures are done using only local anesthesia, patients typically can drive themselves to and from his office. They also can stay in their street clothes, and don’t have to fast from food or medicines on the day of the procedure.
Diagnosis Made Easier
In the past, Dr. Jabbour diagnosed patients using an electromyography (EMG) test and had to use simulated models to show them what was happening with their hands and wrists. With ultrasound guidance, he can now, in real time, show his patients where the nerve is being compressed as well as explain how the procedure works and what to expect. “When patients have more comfort with the diagnosis, they have more comfort in proceeding with the treatment we’re offering.”
For trigger finger patients, Dr. Jabbour offers only ultrasound-guided procedures using UltraGuideTFR technology rather than the traditional surgical release. And, if needed, he often treats several fingers at once, giving his patients a “one and done” experience. “The great thing about TFR is that you can confirm right away that it’s cured,” he says.
For those with carpal tunnel syndrome, he typically offers the less-invasive ultrasound-guided procedure to those patients who are looking for a treatment option that allows them to get back to their lives quickly. Following carpal tunnel release with real-time ultrasound guidance (CTR-US), Dr. Jabbour reports his patients doing well and being satisfied with their scar and healing journey.
Making a Difference
Thinking about the hundreds of patients he has helped, several stand out. Dr. Jabbour says “I’m really happy to be able to help a mom sleep better, use her hands, and drive the kids to school without issues. I also had an 85-year-old patient recently who really just wanted to knit but didn’t want to go to an operating room or be put under general anesthesia. Now, she can use her hands without pain,” says Dr. Jabbour, adding, “I’m also proud we could help a patient who was getting terrible pain in his left arm during kidney dialysis that made his carpal tunnel symptoms worse. We were able to perform a CTR using UltraGuideCTR, and now he can go to his dialysis appointments without this discomfort.”
Center of Excellence
This dedication to better patient outcomes is why Dr. Jabbour was recently named a Center of Excellence (COE) physician by The Institute of Advanced Ultrasound Guided Procedures and Sonex Health. He says the recognition is both humbling and much appreciated. “It’s a confirmation that we can offer these procedures safely and effectively and have made ours a practice that patients and referring physicians can trust.”
Learn more about The Institute of Advanced Ultrasound Guided Procedures and our training programs to begin your MSK ultrasound training today.