A Study of Anterior Interosseous Nerve Syndrome (AIN)

A branch of the median nerve is the Anterior Interosseous Nerve (AIN). The AIN usually passes through the interosseous membrane of the wrist after diving below or through the pronator teres, which is located about 5 cm from the lateral epicondyle. The pronator quadratus, the flexor digitorum profundus of the second and third digits, and the Flexor Pollicis Longus (FPL) all receive motor innervation from the AIN. There is disagreement concerning the AIN syndrome's pathogenesis. The AIN may sustain a surgical injury or sustain a traumatic injury. However, subsequent entrapment from an auxiliary flexor digitorum profundus can also cause symptoms. Less than 1% of upper limb entrapment syndromes involve the entrapment of the AIN, which happens seldom. Patients in their 40s are more likely to have AIN entrapment. Alternative explanations for the pathophysiology of AIN syndrome exist, one of which holds that neuritis, not entrapment, is to blame for the motor weakness that patients with AIN syndrome experience. On examination, patients with AIN won't have any sensory deficits. Instead of AIN syndrome, hand paresthesias and forearm pain may be signs of proximal median nerve entrapment. With AIN syndrome, medical professionals will discover motor weakness. Resistance of the FPL and FDP of the index finger can be used to test this. The majority of acute AIN syndrome instances will go away on their own. Some people, meanwhile, can still have some lingering weakness. NSAIDs, oral steroids, bracing, and other conservative treatments like physical therapy and bracing can help with symptom relief. The timing of a surgical procedure can change. Forearm discomfort and weakness in the FPL and FDP of the index finger are characteristic symptoms of AIN syndrome. A clinical diagnosis can be made with the help of EMG and/or MRI. Typically, symptoms are self-limiting; although in individuals who appear to be recovering on their own, surgical exploration may be necessary.