Your hands are involved in nearly everything you do, from buttoning a shirt to holding the steering wheel. So when numbness, tingling, or a weakening grip creeps in, it can quietly chip away at your day and your sleep. For many people, those symptoms point to carpal tunnel syndrome, one of the most common nerve conditions of the hand.
Vero Orthopaedics invites you to a free community seminar, “Modern Carpal Tunnel Relief: An Ultrasound-Guided Approach,” presented by our board-certified orthopaedic surgeon and hand and upper-extremity specialist, Victor Marwin, M.D., MBA. It’s a relaxed, no-pressure evening to learn what carpal tunnel syndrome is, when it’s worth having your hands evaluated, and how a modern, minimally invasive treatment option works.
Event Details at a Glance
- Date: Thursday, August 20, 2026
- Time: 6:00 p.m.
- Location: Vero Orthopaedics, 3955 Indian River Boulevard, Vero Beach, FL 32960
- Admission: Free · Light refreshments will be served
- RSVP: Email Seminars@VeroOrtho.com
Common Signs and Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome happens when the median nerve, which runs through a narrow passageway in the wrist called the carpal tunnel, becomes compressed. Symptoms often start gradually and tend to be worse at night. They can include:
- Numbness or tingling in the thumb, index, middle, and part of the ring finger.
- Aching or discomfort in the hand or wrist that may travel up the forearm.
- A weaker grip, or trouble with fine tasks like buttoning a shirt or holding a pen.
- Dropping objects more often, or a feeling that the hand is clumsy.
- Symptoms that wake you at night or flare while driving or holding a phone.
Hand numbness can have several causes, so these signs don’t automatically mean carpal tunnel syndrome. An evaluation is the best way to know what’s behind your symptoms.
What Causes Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Carpal tunnel syndrome develops when there’s increased pressure on the median nerve inside the carpal tunnel. Repetitive hand use, wrist anatomy, inflammation, fluid changes (such as during pregnancy), and certain health conditions can all contribute. It is more common in women and often appears between roughly ages 40 and 60. Your physician can help identify the factors most relevant to you.
When to Consider Seeing a Hand Specialist
It’s reasonable to have your hands evaluated when symptoms are frequent, are interfering with sleep or daily tasks, aren’t improving with rest or a night brace, or when you notice weakness or a loss of coordination in the hand. Getting evaluated sooner rather than later gives you the widest range of options, which may include non-surgical care such as bracing, activity changes, therapy, or injections before a procedure is ever considered.
What Is Ultrasound-Guided Carpal Tunnel Release?
Traditional carpal tunnel surgery relieves pressure on the median nerve by releasing the transverse carpal ligament. Ultrasound-guided carpal tunnel release accomplishes that same goal with a modern, minimally invasive approach.
Vero Orthopaedics offers ultrasound-guided carpal tunnel release using the Sonex technique (the UltraGuideCTR device). Using real-time ultrasound imaging, the surgeon can see the median nerve and surrounding structures throughout the procedure, then release the ligament through a very small wrist incision that is typically closed without stitches. For appropriate candidates, it can be performed right in the office as a same-day, outpatient procedure, under local anesthesia. Because it involves minimal soft-tissue disruption, many patients experience a less disruptive recovery than with traditional open surgery, often returning to everyday activities within days. Individual results vary, and your surgeon will guide your specific recovery.
What “Wide-Awake” Treatment Means
“Wide-awake” refers to performing the procedure using local anesthesia, only numbing the area rather than putting you to sleep with general anesthesia. This approach is sometimes called WALANT (wide-awake local anesthesia, no tourniquet). It means most patients stay comfortably awake and can go home the same day. Whether you’re a candidate for a wide-awake, in-office procedure depends on your individual evaluation.
Meet Dr. Victor Marwin
Victor Marwin, M.D., MBA, is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon who is fellowship-trained in hand and upper-extremity surgery. He cares for the full range of upper-extremity concerns, from the shoulder and elbow to the wrist, hand, and fingertip, and is an expert in ultrasound-guided carpal tunnel release, an approach in which he has also helped train other surgeons.
Dr. Marwin earned his medical degree from Albany Medical College and completed his orthopaedic surgery residency and hand and upper-extremity fellowship at the Jacobs School of Medicine at the State University of New York at Buffalo. He also holds an MBA from the Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Before entering private practice, he served as a U.S. Navy orthopaedic surgeon, including a deployment to Afghanistan. He emphasizes advanced non-operative care first and, when a procedure is the right step, takes the time to make sure each patient feels informed and confident.
What You’ll Learn at the Seminar
- How to recognize the signs of carpal tunnel syndrome and when to seek an evaluation.
- How ultrasound guidance is used during treatment.
- What ultrasound-guided carpal tunnel release involves, and who may be a candidate.
- What questions to ask when considering treatment.
- Answers to your own questions during a live Q&A with Dr. Marwin.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common carpal tunnel symptoms?
Numbness and tingling in the thumb, index, middle, and part of the ring finger; hand or wrist aching; a weaker grip; and dropping objects. Symptoms are often worse at night. Because other conditions can cause similar symptoms, an evaluation is the best way to know for sure.
How is carpal tunnel syndrome diagnosed?
A specialist diagnoses carpal tunnel syndrome through a physical examination and your history, and may use additional testing to confirm the diagnosis and rule out other causes. Dr. Marwin can walk you through what an evaluation involves.
Is the Sonex procedure performed in a hospital?
For appropriate candidates, ultrasound-guided carpal tunnel release can be performed in an office or procedure-room setting as a same-day, outpatient procedure. Your care team will confirm the right setting for you.
Will I be awake during the procedure?
It is typically performed under local anesthesia, so most patients stay comfortably awake. Your physician will discuss what to expect for your situation.
Is general anesthesia required?
No, the procedure is designed to be done under local anesthesia, which avoids general anesthesia for suitable candidates.
Is every patient a candidate?
Not necessarily. Whether ultrasound-guided carpal tunnel release is right for you depends on an individual evaluation. Many people are helped first with non-surgical care such as bracing, therapy, or injections.
Do I need to be a current Vero Orthopaedics patient to attend?
No. This free seminar is open to everyone in the Vero Beach and Indian River County communities.
Is the seminar free?
Yes. Admission is complimentary, and light refreshments will be served. RSVP is required because seating is limited.
How do I register?
Email Seminars@VeroOrtho.com to reserve your seat.
How to RSVP
Seating at our Vero Beach office is limited to keep the seminar comfortable and interactive, with time for live Q&A. To reserve your complimentary seat, email Seminars@VeroOrtho.com.
Can’t attend but want to talk through your symptoms? You don’t have to wait for the seminar. Call or text (772) 569-2330, or visit VeroOrtho.com to schedule an evaluation with Dr. Marwin.
