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Radial Nerve Block at Elbow
Aka: Radial Nerve Block at Elbow, Regional Anesthesia of the Radial Nerve at Elbow
- See Also
- Radial Nerve Block at Wrist
- Median Nerve Block
- Ulnar Nerve Block
- Regional Anesthesia (Nerve Block)
- Local Skin Anesthesia
- Field Block
- Hematoma Block
- Digital Block
- Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS)
- Indications
- Anesthesia of Radial Nerve distribution distal to elbow
- Anatomy: Landmarks at Lateral Cubital Fossa
- Lateral Epicondyle
- Brachioradialis Insertion
- Radial Nerve
- Biceps Tendon
- Precautions
- Avoid injecting directly into Radial Nerve
- Preparation
- Needle: 27 gauge 1.5 inch
- Skin preparation (e.g. Hibiclens or Betadine)
- See Regional Anesthesia
- Anesthetic
- See Regional Anesthesia for Anesthetic options
- Local Anesthetic 2-5 ml (Ultrasound) or 5-10 ml (landmark)
- Technique
- Images


- Position
- Forearm pronated
- Elbow flexed to 90 degrees
- Injection site (Landmarks)
- Insert needle at lateral elbow 1-2 cm proximal to antecubital crease and at 45 degree angle
- Direct the needle between the brachioradialis muscle and the biceps tendon toward the Humerus
- Ultrasound-Guidance (preferred)
- High frequency linear probe in short axis
- Use standard Ultrasound-guided Regional Anesthesia technique
- Linear probe is transverse to Forearm, parallel to cubital fossa
- Injection site is approximately 3-4 cm distal to the lateral epicondyle
- Needle insertion
- Apply antiseptic to skin (e.g. Hibiclens or Betadine)
- Insert needle 1 cm until no resistance
- Do not inject if Paresthesias (see below)
- Warning: Distal Paresthesias with needle with injection
- Indicates needle is at Median Nerve
- Do not inject here!
- Remove needle and redirect
- References
- Yurgil (2020) Am Fam Physician 101(11):654-64 [PubMed]