Effectiveness of single local corticosteroid injection in radial tunnel syndrome

Abstract

Introduction: Radial tunnel syndrome (RTS) is an uncommon source of pain to the elbow and forearm often misdiagnosed as resistant tennis elbow. Corticosteroid injection is sometimes used in the management of radial tunnel syndrome, but has not been evaluated in depth.Aim and Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the utility of corticosteroid injection as a therapeutic modality for the management of radial tunnel syndrome.Materials and Methods: We conducted this prospective study at G S medical College, Pilkhuwa, UP. The study period was from Jan 2022 to October 2022 which included follow up time of 6 months. The last case intervention was done in April 2022. A total of 30 patients (12 male and 18 female) were included with clinically diagnosed of radial tunnel syndrome.Results: Prior to intervention the mean qDASH was 51.7 points. The mean qDASH improved over time with significant decreases to 37.2 points, P = .03 and 29.9 points, P = .01 at 3 monts and 6 months follow-up respectively. The mean VAS for pain was 8.4 points prior to intervention and improved over time with significant decreases to 1.56 points, P = .005 and 1.7 points, P = .003 at 3 months and 6 months follow-up respectively. There were no complications from injection.Conclusion: Corticosteroid injection in patients with RTS was a safe procedure that gave very good preliminary results for symptom relief.