Coping With Radial Tunnel Syndrome

06 Aug Coping With Radial Tunnel Syndrome

Radial tunnel syndrome may not be as recognizable as carpal tunnel syndrome, but this condition can lead to severe pain, tingling, numbness, and muscle weakness in the arms and hands. This condition can make daily activities like using your wrist or lifting things exceptionally difficult, but with the proper treatment, your arm can become pain-free again. At Advanced Orthopedics & Joint Preservation, our Brooklyn orthopedist provides comprehensive treatment and intervention to help patients cope with radial tunnel syndrome. 

What is Radial Tunnel Syndrome?

Radial tunnel syndrome, or radial nerve entrapment, is a condition that occurs when the radial nerve in your arm is compressed. This nerve is one of three that provide sensory and motor function to the arm. The radial nerve starts in the neck, runs down the arm, and controls movement in the tricep. The radial tunnel is located below the elbow, and the nerve enters this tunnel and travels to the wrist. With radial tunnel syndrome, the pinched nerve can cause pain and weakness. The radial nerve can become irritated any time you use your arms, hands, or wrists. The telltale signs of this condition are pain and weakness in the forearm, but other symptoms may include:

• Tenderness outside the elbow. 
• Trouble gripping objects. 
• Difficulty pushing or lifting objects. 
• Difficulty extending the wrist. 
• Pain in the back of the hand or below the elbow. 
• Pain that worsens with wrist rotation or finger extension. 

Not all patients will experience the same symptoms of radial tunnel syndrome. Our Brooklyn orthopedist will evaluate your symptoms and determine the root cause to address the issue. 

Treatment

While this condition can interfere with daily activities, several treatment options are available for radial tunnel syndrome. At first, our Brooklyn orthopedist will start with a less invasive treatment plan that will likely consist of rest to reduce strain on the nerve. Wrist or elbow splints may also be recommended to stabilize the arm. Steroid injections in the arm can reduce swelling and pressure on the radial nerve if you’ve been experiencing more severe pain. The primary focus of your treatment is to prevent the pain from returning. If more conservative approaches fail to alleviate your symptoms, surgical treatment may be necessary. Our Brooklyn orthopedist will widen the radial tunnel during a radial tunnel surgery to relieve pressure on the nerve and allow it more space. Following this procedure, physical therapy may be recommended to help speed up your recovery and improve your overall functionality. 

Contact Us

If you struggle to cope with radial tunnel syndrome, our dedicated staff at Advanced Orthopedics & Joint Preservation is here to help. To learn more about treatments for radial tunnel syndrome or to schedule an appointment, contact us today!