The Radial Nerve and the Radial Tunnel
The radial nerve passes on the outside of the elbow and into the forearm through a muscle called the supinator muscle, which consists of two parts, a superficial part and a deep part.  As the nerve travels into this muscle, it passes through a fibrous band, or "arcade," known as the radial tunnel.

Symptoms
The radial nerve may be compressed deeply in the forearm around the elbow, the area of the radial tunnel.  Such compression or pinching of the radial nerve may give rise to pain, inflammation, and swelling.  With radial tunnel syndrome, pain is often poorly localized in the forearm, radiating down the forearm and toward the back of the wrist and hand.  Radial tunnel syndrome often accompanies lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow). 

Treatment
Modifying one's activities, especially those involving forceful wrist movements, is often beneficial when combined with oral antiinflammatory medications.  As well as being a helpful diagnostic tool, a cortisone injection often proves useful in resolving the problem.

Surgery
If conservative measures do not help and daily activities and work cannot be performed, then surgical release of the radial tunnel may occasionally be necessary.  In this case, the radial nerve may need to be released at the same time that surgery for lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) is performed.

Information about the related condition tennis elbow can be found at our
page.