Section 5. Bone, Joint, and Muscle Disorders

Chapter 71. Hand Disorders

Topics: Introduction | Ganglia | Deformities | Carpal Tunnel Syndrome | Cubital Tunnel Syndrome | Radial Tunnel Syndrome | Kienböck's Disease | Shoulder-Hand Syndrome | Injuries | Infections

Radial Tunnel Syndrome

Radial tunnel syndrome is a disorder resulting from compression of a branch of the radial nerve in the forearm or back of the arm, or at the elbow.

Causes of compression of the radial nerve at the elbow include injury, ganglia, lipomas (noncancerous fatty tumors), bone tumors, and inflammation of the surrounding bursa or muscles.

Compression of the radial nerve results in cutting, piercing, or stabbing pain affecting the top of the forearm and back of the hand. Pain results when the person tries to straighten the wrist and fingers. There is no loss of sensation, because the radial nerve principally connects to muscles. This disorder is sometimes confused with backhand tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis (see Section 5, Chapter 75)).

To reduce pressure on the nerve and speed healing, the person should avoid rotating the wrist and bending the arm at the elbow. If the wrist becomes weak and tends to droop (wristdrop), surgery may be needed to relieve pressure on the nerve.