• ctr

Orthopedic Surgeon Becomes the Patient: Ultrasound Guided Carpal Tunnel Release

What happens when an orthopedic surgeon needs treatment for their own carpal tunnel syndrome?

Watch orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Jeff Barwick become the patient as Dr. Johnny Nelson, hand and upper extremity surgeon, performs an ultrasound-guided carpal tunnel release (UGCTR) in a clinic-based procedure room. This procedure was performed for a live audience at the 2026 MSK Ultrasound Forum, hosted at the front end of the 2026 ASSH annual meeting.

Two weeks later, Dr. Barwick shared:
"I had the procedure on Wednesday and returned to work that Friday. Less than a week later, I was back in the operating room performing knee and hip replacements. I experienced almost immediate relief from my median nerve numbness and have had very little discomfort during recovery."
— Jeff F. Barwick, Jr., MD

This minimally invasive treatment option allows many patients to return to normal activities in as little as 3-5 days, minimizing disruption to work, family, and everyday life.