Dr. Harrison Kay (right), pictured with certified medical assistant Lalo Barron, uses ultrasound-guided technology to perform carpal tunnel release at Orthopaedic Specialists of Austin's Hyde Park clinic. (Courtesy Orthopaedic Specialists of Austin)
A surgeon at Orthopaedic Specialists of Austin is now performing an ultrasound-guided carpal tunnel release procedure, making Dr. Harrison Kay the first physician in the Austin area to offer the technology.
Kay, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in hand, wrist and elbow care, is offering the minimally invasive procedure as an alternative to traditional open carpal tunnel surgery, according to a news release.
The details
During the ultrasound-guided procedure, real-time imaging allows the surgeon to visualize nerves, tendons, blood vessels and surrounding tissue as a thin device is passed through a small incision below the wrist to release the ligament compressing the nerve, per the release. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia in an office setting for eligible patients, rather than in an operating room under general anesthesia.
The practice said patients typically return to normal activities within three to five days, compared with two to four weeks after traditional open surgery, and often experience less postoperative discomfort, minimal scarring and a reduced need for pain medication.
The procedure is covered by Medicare and many major commercial insurance plans when medically appropriate, though coverage, deductibles, copays and coinsurance vary by plan, according to the practice. The practice said its team verifies each candidate's benefits and discusses expected out-of-pocket costs before the procedure.
The technology is made by Minnesota-based Sonex Health, whose device has been used in more than 50,000 procedures nationwide, according to the company. The manufacturer has confirmed Kay is the only physician in and around Austin performing the procedure, with the next closest physician located about 50 miles away, closer to San Antonio, according to the practice.
Orthopaedic Specialists of Austin offers ultrasound-guided carpal tunnel release at its Hyde Park clinic, located at 4611 Guadalupe St., Ste. 200. (Jessica McLaren/Community Impact)
Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve is compressed within the wrist, causing symptoms such as numbness, tingling and hand weakness, according to the practice.
The background
Orthopaedic Specialists of Austin has provided orthopedic care in the Austin area for more than 20 years, with physicians specializing in joint replacement, spine, shoulder, hand and upper extremity, knee and hip, and foot and ankle conditions, according to the practice's website.
"My goal has always been to provide the best possible patient experience and outcomes," Kay said in the release. "I am proud to provide patients with a minimally invasive option [to] reduce recovery time, minimize disruption to their daily lives, and help them return to their work and the activities they enjoy sooner."
The practice has locations in Austin, Lakeway and Leander, where it opened a 4,500-square-foot clinic in January 2025 with exam rooms, a physical therapy suite and on-site digital X-ray. Ultrasound-guided carpal tunnel release is currently offered only at the practice's Hyde Park clinic, located at 4611 Guadalupe St., Ste. 200, Austin.
Individuals experiencing carpal tunnel symptoms can schedule a consultation to determine whether they are candidates for the procedure, the practice said.
