Radial Tunnel Surgery

http://www.handandwristinstitute.com/... - When the radial nerve becomes entrapped as it passes through the upper part of the forearm, this is known as Radial Tunnel Syndrome. It is most often caused by everyday activities, especially those one finds working in an office (i.e. keyboard use, mouse, etc.) as well as strenuous physical exercise and lifting weights.

On its way across the upper radial side of the arm, the radial nerve engages several muscles in the elbow, where it can become compressed by various structures , most often the supinator muscle. From this compression, pain radiates downward towards the wrist, affecting the entire forearm. Occasionally, wrist pain without specific cause such as trauma may be present, and this can indicate entrapment. It is also common to see this in conjunction with tennis elbow, and it is important to determine that it is not solely that to ensure proper treatment. Unlike carpal tunnel and ulnar nerve entrapment, tingling and numbness are not generally symptoms of radial nerve entrapment.

As with many upper extremity conditions, rest, anti-inflammatories and bracing, as well as workplace modification, can be effective in treating the symptoms of RTS.

Surgery may be necessary if conservative treatment fails to relieve symptoms. A relatively short outpatient procedure is required, in which the supinator muscle is released, but because of the involvement of the biceps muscle, loss of function is not an issue here. A larger incision is preferred because it allows for sufficient compression at all areas that are affected by RTS.

Three weeks of immobilization will follow the surgery, as well as several more weeks of therapy, which altogether means a recovery period of about three months. The success rate for this type of surgery is about 90%, with a general return to full function.