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Updated: Apr 19, 2026
Author Spotlight: Ultrasound-Guided Needle Release Combined with Corticosteroid Injection for the Treatment of Supinator Syndrome
Published on: May 26, 2023
Corticosteroid injection in patients with ulnar neuropathy at the elbow: A randomized, double-blind,
Kiril E B vanVeen1, Kees C L Alblas1, Imanda M E Alons1
1Department of Neurology, Medical Center Haaglanden, Postbus 432, 2501, CK, The Hague, The Netherlands.
Introduction:
We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to evaluate the effect of ultrasound-guided corticosteroid injection in patients with ulnar neuropathy at the elbow (UNE).
Methods:
Fifty-five patients were randomized between an ultrasound-guided injection of 1 ml containing 40 mg methylprednisolone acetate and 10 mg lidocaine hydrochloride or a placebo injection. The primary outcome was the subjective change of symptoms after 3 months. The secondary outcomes were change in electrodiagnostic studies and ultrasonography findings.
Results:
A success rate of 30% was found in the corticosteroid injection group versus 28% in the placebo injection group. Only the nerve cross-sectional area changed significantly in the intervention group, from a mean of 11.9 mm(2) to 10.9 mm(2) .
Conclusions:
We could not demonstrate a positive effect of ultrasound-guided corticosteroid injection in UNE compared with placebo. Favorable outcomes may be attributed to the natural course of UNE or the effect of patient education.
