Radial Tunnel Syndrome

Radial tunnel syndrome results from compression of the radial nerve by the free edge of the supinator muscle or closely related structures in the vicinity of the elbow joint. Despite numerous reports on the surgical management of this disorder, it remains largely unrecognized and often neglected. The symptoms of radial tunnel syndrome can resemble those of tennis elbow, chronic wrist pain or tenosynovitis. Reliable objective criteria are not available to differentiate between these pathologies. These difficulties are discussed in relation to 29 patients who underwent 30 primary explorations and proximal decompressions of the radial nerve. Excellent or good results were obtained in 70%, fair results in 13% and poor results in 17% of patients. The results can be satisfactory despite the prolonged duration of symptoms. We believe that a diagnosis of radial tunnel syndrome should always be born in mind when dealing with patients with forearm and wrist pain that has not responded to more conventional treatment. Patients with occupations requiring repetitive manual tasks seem to be particularly at risk of developing radial tunnel syndrome and it is also interesting to note that 66% of patients with on-going medico-legal claims had successful outcomes following surgery.

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Radial Tunnel Syndrome: A Surgeon's Perspective

Journal of Hand Therapy ◽

10.1197/j.jht.2006.02.005 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 19 (2) ◽

pp. 180-185 ◽

Cited By ~ 36

Author(s):

John Stanley

Keyword(s):

Tunnel Syndrome ◽

Radial Tunnel Syndrome

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Radial Tunnel Syndrome: Diagnosis and Management

Journal of Hand Surgery (European Volume) ◽

10.1016/s0266-7681(98)80015-6 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 23 (5) ◽

pp. 617-619 ◽

Cited By ~ 46

Author(s):

N. S. SARHADI ◽

S. N. KORDAY ◽

L. C. BAINBRIDGE

Keyword(s):

Steroid Injection ◽

Middle Finger ◽

Complete Relief ◽

Finger Extension ◽

Anaesthetic Solution ◽

Tunnel Syndrome ◽

Local Anaesthetic Solution ◽

Tender Spot ◽

Radial Tunnel Syndrome

This study presents a review of 26 cases of radial tunnel syndrome in 25 patients seen in a single hand consultant’s practice over a period of 2.5 years. The protocol for diagnosis was the reproduction of patient’s symptoms on pressure over a palpable tender spot along the course of the radial tunnel, painful resisted supination or resisted middle finger extension, all of which were abolished on infiltration of the tender area with a local anaesthetic solution. The presence of at least two out of three objective signs was necessary for the diagnosis. Initially all cases were treated conservatively, by steroid injection in 25 and physiotherapy in one, with long-term relief of pain in 16. Nine failures were treated surgically, with complete relief of pain in seven. Radial tunnel syndrome should be considered in the differential diagnosis of pain around the hand and or elbow.

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