24/11/2025
Radial Tunnel Syndrome
I worked with a fellow today that was experiencing Radial Tunnel Syndrome which he was thinking could be the common condition called Tennis Elbow. I went through some provocative tests to establish that the Radial Nerve was affected and worked to release the affected muscle tissue surrounding the nerve pathway to achieve the results needed. The Supinator pictured here is the muscle that contracts to turn the arm in an upward direction.
Radial tunnel syndrome is a condition that occurs when your radial nerve — one of the nerves that run through your arm — is pinched or compressed. When your radial nerve reaches your elbow and forearm, it passes through an area called the radial tunnel, which is a collection of muscles and tendons. Tightness and swelling in the radial tunnel can put pressure on your radial nerve, leading to a nagging pain and weakness in the arm.
Radial tunnel syndrome creates an annoying ache in your arm that you just want to shake away. Fortunately, rest and nonsurgical methods are usually successful at treating the pinched nerve and relieving your pain.
Symptoms and Causes
What does radial tunnel feel like?
You’ll likely feel pain and tenderness in the area on the outside of your elbow, stretching down to your forearm. The pain is a nagging ache that can stick with you and cause fatigue. Certain activities can make radial tunnel syndrome symptoms worse, including:
General activities that require extensive use of your forearm and/or wrist
Heavy lifting
Extending your elbow too much
Any forearm rotation
Flexing your wrist
Over time, radial tunnel syndrome can weaken your forearm muscles and your overall wrist strength, making it increasingly difficult to grip or lift certain things. The pain may also get worse while you’re sleeping. Sometimes, radial tunnel syndrome can cause wrist drop, meaning you lose the ability to lift your hand past a certain point.
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