Radial Nerve

Compression

Graham Chuter

SpR Teaching, RVI

April 2007

Radial nerve

• Largest branch of brachial plexus

• Roots C5,6,7,8 and T1

• Least common nerve to be compressed

Sites of Compression

• Axilla

• Mid-humeral

• Elbow

• Distal forearm

Axillary

• Saturday night palsy• Honeymooner’s palsy• Crutches

• Preceding pain• Transient

Mid-humeral

• Trauma• most common cause• fracture• penetrating injury

• Exploration v conservative

Elbow

• Most common site

• Radial tunnel syndrome• local structures

• PIN syndrome• supinator entrapment• level-dependent

Forearm

• Superficial radial nerve entrapment• brachioradialis and ECRL• repetitive pronation /

supination• 50% assoc with

De Quervain’s

• Pain and paraesthesia

• 1932: Wartenberg’s Syndrome

Summary

• Revision of anatomy

• 4 main sites of compression / injury• axillary• humeral• elbow• forearm

• Surgery only after failed conservative Rx

Thank you