Peripheral Nerve Syndromes at the Elbow: A Review of Current Treatments

Peripheral nerve compression syndromes at the elbow include Cubital Tunnel Syndrome (CuTS), Radial Tunnel Syndrome (RTS), Posterior Interosseous Syndrome (PINS), Pronator Teres Syndrome (PTS), and Anterior Interosseous Nerve Syndrome (AINS). These conditions, though rare compared to carpal tunnel syndrome, can cause debilitating motor and sensory deficits. This review aims to consolidate the latest evidence about treatments to improve therapeutic outcomes and provide clinical recommendations. Conservative treatment is usually first-line and includes physical therapy, splinting, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and corticosteroid injections. Despite limited evidence, NSAIDs remain widely used due to their cost-effectiveness. Corticosteroid injections offer potential short-term relief and diagnostic value, particularly in CuTS, where non-responders may require alternative diagnoses. Splinting shows variable success, with most patients reporting symptom improvement, while nerve glide exercises and patient education are essential for managing provocative movements. Surgical intervention is indicated when conservative treatments fail. The mainstay surgical therapy for elbow nerve entrapment is decompression. Still, new evidence suggests a difference between management for the various entrapments. Minimally invasive techniques have shown promising outcomes with reduced recovery times. Future research on elbow nerve entrapments should aim to establish a treatment algorithm and to advance minimally invasive techniques.