Transient Radial Nerve Paralysis After a Lateral Epicondylitis Injection: A Case-based Review

Abstract

Lateral epicondylitis is a painful tendinosis of the lateral epicondyle of the humerus, which is the attachment site for the wrist extensor muscles and tendons. It is most commonly caused by repetitive gripping or wrist extension. Moreover, lateral epicondylitis is one of the most common causes of elbow flank pain in adults. While most patients respond to conservative treatment, surgical treatment is used in some patients. In this study, we reviewed the case of a 68-year-old man who presented to the clinic with elbow pain. In this patient with lateral epicondylitis, who had not responded to various conservative treatments, 0.5 cc prilocaine hydrochloride and 1 cc triamcinolone hexacetonide were injected in the left elbow lateral epicondyle tendon adhesion area. After the injection, the patient’s second, third and fourth fingers dropped. Further, the patient was diagnosed with radial nerve paralysis, and his hand was properly splinted. After 72 hours, in the follow-up to reevaluate the patient’s muscle strength, it was observed that the patient’s complaints after the injection resolved. This review focuses on the treatment methods of lateral epicondylitis and on complications that occur after a lateral epicondyle injection in the context of a case of transient radial nerve paralysis after a very common type of injection.

Keywords

• lateral epicondylitis
• radial nerve
• injections