LAUSR

OBJECTIVE To assess the effects of perineural corticosteroid and 5% dextrose water (D5W) injections in patients with mild-to-moderate ulnar neuropathy at the elbow (UNE). DESIGN A prospective, randomized, double-blinded, controlled trial (6 months follow-up). SETTING Outpatients of local medical center settings. PARTICIPANTS Thirty-six patients with mild-to-moderate UNE were randomized and 33 participants were included in the final data analysis. INTERVENTIONS Patients were administered a single perineural injection with 5 mL D5W and 3 mL corticosteroid (10 mg/mL) mixed with 2 mL normal saline under ultrasound guidance in the dextrose and steroid groups, respectively. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The visual analog scale digital pain or paresthesia/dysesthesia score was the primary outcome. The secondary outcomes were the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand questionnaire, motor nerve conduction velocity, and cross-sectional area (CSA) of the ulnar nerve. The measurement assessment was conducted before and 1, 3, 4, and 6 months after injection. RESULTS Thirty-three patients completed the study. Both injections were found to be equally effective at most measurement points, although the dextrose group experienced larger reductions in symptom severity and CSA of the ulnar nerve from the 3rd month onward. CONCLUSIONS We suggest D5W as a more suitable injectate for perineural injection in UNE patients.