What are the recommended diagnostic tests for a patient presenting with symptoms of hand and elbow nerve compression, such as numbness, tingling, or weakness?

Diagnostic Testing for Hand and Elbow Nerve Compression

For patients presenting with numbness, tingling, or weakness in the hand and elbow, begin with plain radiographs of the elbow followed by electrodiagnostic studies (EMG/nerve conduction studies), and reserve MRI for cases where initial workup is nondiagnostic or surgical planning is needed. 1

Initial Diagnostic Approach

Clinical Examination Findings to Elicit

Differentiate between specific nerve compression syndromes through targeted physical examination:

• Cubital tunnel syndrome (ulnar nerve): Check for point tenderness over the cubital tunnel, positive Tinel's sign at the elbow, positive elbow flexion test (symptoms reproduced with elbow flexion >30 seconds), and assess for ulnar nerve subluxation with elbow flexion/extension 2, 3, 4

• Carpal tunnel syndrome (median nerve): Distinguish from elbow pathology by assessing for symptoms in median nerve distribution (thumb, index, middle fingers) versus ulnar distribution (ring, small fingers) 1, 5

• Motor examination: Test hand intrinsics, flexor carpi ulnaris, and flexor digitorum profundus strength; look for muscle atrophy or digital clawing which indicates more advanced disease 3, 4

• Sensory testing: Map the exact distribution of numbness/tingling to localize the nerve and level of compression 3, 4

First-Line Imaging: Plain Radiographs

Obtain standard AP and lateral radiographs of the elbow as the initial imaging study for all patients with suspected nerve compression. 1, 2

Radiographs identify critical differential diagnoses and contributing factors:

• Intra-articular bodies that may cause mechanical symptoms 1
• Heterotopic ossification compressing neural structures 1
• Osteochondral lesions 1
• Cubitus valgus deformity predisposing to ulnar nerve compression 3
• Occult fractures or post-traumatic changes 1

Electrodiagnostic Studies

Perform EMG and nerve conduction studies when neurologic symptoms suggest nerve compression, as these confirm the diagnosis and localize the site of compression. 1

Key electrodiagnostic findings:

• Conduction block at the site of compression indicates focal demyelination and predicts good surgical outcomes 6
• Prolonged latency without axonal loss suggests early compression amenable to conservative treatment 7
• Axonal loss patterns indicate more severe, chronic compression requiring urgent intervention 6, 3

The electrodiagnostic studies are particularly valuable because many patients present with significant symptoms despite minimal or even normal initial findings, reflecting pathology in the nerve's connective tissue "container" rather than the nerve fibers themselves 7

Advanced Imaging (When Initial Workup is Nondiagnostic)

MRI Without Contrast

Order MRI elbow without contrast when radiographs are normal or nonspecific and clinical suspicion remains high for nerve entrapment, tendon pathology, or soft tissue abnormalities. 1, 2

• T2-weighted MR neurography is the reference standard for imaging ulnar nerve entrapment, demonstrating high signal intensity and nerve enlargement at the compression site 2
• MRI shows morphological changes in the nerve within the cubital tunnel that confirm the diagnosis 3
• MRI helps differentiate nerve compression from other causes of elbow pain including tendinopathy, ligament tears, and intra-articular pathology 1

Ultrasound

High-resolution ultrasound has emerged as a useful diagnostic tool for visualizing morphological nerve changes and can be performed dynamically to assess nerve subluxation. 3

Critical Diagnostic Pitfalls to Avoid

Do Not Miss These Red Flags

• Night pain or pain at rest suggests inflammatory or neoplastic processes rather than simple compression 2
• Mechanical symptoms (locking, catching, clicking) indicate intra-articular pathology requiring different management 2
• Rapid progression with motor weakness and muscle atrophy demands urgent surgical evaluation rather than conservative management 3

Essential Differential Diagnoses

Always consider and rule out:

• C8 radiculopathy (neck pain, multiple nerve distributions affected) 3
• Pancoast tumor in patients with risk factors for malignancy 3
• Medial epicondylitis versus ulnar collateral ligament injury (valgus stress test positive in UCL injury) 2
• Monomelic ischemic neuropathy in dialysis patients with arteriovenous fistulas (warm hand with palpable pulses, acute onset) 1

Common Diagnostic Errors

• Failing to obtain initial radiographs before proceeding to advanced imaging, missing osseous pathology 2, 8
• Relying solely on electrodiagnostic studies when symptoms are significant but studies show only minimal abnormalities; the connective tissue pathology may be the primary problem 7
• Not differentiating between multiple compression sites (double crush syndrome); physical therapy to restore neural gliding addresses multilevel compression 7

Diagnostic Algorithm Summary

1. Targeted physical examination to localize nerve and compression site 3, 4
2. Plain radiographs (AP and lateral elbow views) to identify osseous pathology 1
3. EMG/nerve conduction studies to confirm nerve involvement and localize compression 1, 6
4. MRI without contrast (with T2-weighted neurography) if diagnosis remains unclear or for surgical planning 2, 3
5. Consider ultrasound for dynamic assessment of nerve subluxation 3

This stepwise approach maximizes diagnostic accuracy while avoiding unnecessary advanced imaging in straightforward cases, yet ensures timely identification of patients requiring urgent surgical intervention to prevent permanent nerve damage and hand dysfunction 6, 3.