Radial Nerve Entrapment
The radial nerve divides into two branches at the elbow. These are the superficial radial nerve and the posterior interosseous nerve (PI nerve). It is the PI nerve that may become entrapped in the forearm.
What are the Symptoms?
The symptoms of radial nerve entrapment are very similar to those of tennis elbow and so it can be difficult to determine which of these conditions is causing the elbow pain.
- Pins and needles or tingling in the hand and outer forearm.
- Tenderness in the muscles in the upper forearm.
- The maximum point of tenderness is about 4-6 cm down from the lateral epicondyle (outer elbow bone) - with tennis elbow this point is just below the bone.
- Aching in the wrist.
- Pain may radiate upwards into the upper arm.
- Pain on resisted supination (turning the palm of the hand up).
- Pain on extending the middle finger against resistance (although this is also common in tennis elbow).
Compression of the PI nerve may occur at several locations in the elbow and upper forearm.
Radial nerve entrapment is more common in those who pronate and supinate the arm repetitively (turn the hand over), whereas tennis elbow is usually caused more by repetitive wrist extension (bending the wrist back).
Treatment
What can you do about radial nerve entrapment?
- Rest and see a sports injury specialist or doctor.
- Avoid any repetitive wrist movements.
- Apply ice or cold therapy to the elbow and forearm.
What can the sports injury specialist or doctor do?
- Prescribe anti-inflammatory medication.
- Use soft tissue techniques to release the supinator muscle which is often the cause of entrapment.
- Give you exercises such as neural stretches.
- Operate - decompression surgery is generally successful.
