The Elbow

Radial Tunnel Syndrome

Level with the head of the radius, the radial nerve ( 1 ) divides in its two terminal branches:
-> the posterior interosseus nerve ( 2 )
-> the superficial (sensory) branch ( 3 ).
As the interosseus nerve courses in a distal direction, it passes through the deep and superficial heads of the supinator ( 4 ).
Both heads are connected by a fibrous bridge, the arcade of Frohse ( 5 ).
The nerve then passes further down under the arcade and between supinator and head of the radius to the distal compartment of the forearm where it innervates the extensors of wrist and fingers.

Radial Tunnel syndrome

• pain at the lateral side of the elbow, brought on by exertion and by repetitive
  pro- and supination movements.
• vague paraesthesia at the dorsal aspect of the hand.
• pain on resisted extension of the wrist and the fingers.
• local tenderness over the head of the radius

All these symptoms are very similar to those found in a type IV tennis elbow.
We therefore advise to consider each 'radial tunnel syndrome' in first instance as a
type IV tennis elbow and to treat it as such

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