Radial Tunnel Syndrome
What is Radial Tunnel Syndrome?
The radial tunnel is a passageway along the back of the forearm that contains the radial nerve, which is responsible for feeling in the back of the thumb, index, and middle finger. The radial nerve controls the muscles that straighten the wrist, thumb, and fingers. In Radial Tunnel Syndrome, the radial nerve passageway narrows and compresses the nerve.
Radial Tunnel Syndrome Causes
Some causes of radial tunnel syndrome may include:
- Repetitive elbow straightening
- Repetitive forearm rotation
- Obesity
- Diabetes
All of these causes create an environment where the radial passageway can become narrow and the radial nerve can be compressed.
Radial Tunnel Syndrome Symptoms
Some of the symptoms of radial tunnel syndrome are:
- Dull ache in the back of the forearm
- Pain worse after activity
- Weakness when trying to straighten the wrist, thumb, and fingers
Radial Tunnel Syndrome Diagnosis
Our elbow specialists can determine if your elbow pain is a result of radial tunnel syndrome. Radial Tunnel Syndrome can generally be diagnosed by the history of symptoms and by physical exam looking for signs of nerve inflammation. Your doctor may order a nerve conduction and muscle study to obtain more information on the health of the radial nerve and its muscles.
Radial Tunnel Syndrome Treatment
Our elbow specialists can determine the best course of treatment for your radial tunnel syndrome which may include the following:
- Splinting the elbow at a 90 degree angle and the wrist straight
- Anti-inflammatory medication
- Diet and exercise in obese patients
- Glucose control in diabetic patients
- Radial tunnel release procedure, if necessary