Upper Extremity Co-Morbidities in Patients with Radial Tunnel Syndrome

Radial tunnel syndrome is one of many pathologies of the upper extremity that may be caused by repetitive motion. It results from compression of the posterior interosseous nerve and can be a pure pain syndrome or have associated weakness of the wrist and digit extensors. This study examined the incidence of other upper extremity pathology in patients with a diagnosis of radial tunnel syndrome. The medical records of four surgeons' patients with a diagnosis of radial tunnel syndrome were reviewed. The presence of other co-morbidities of the ipsilateral side were included.

One hundred twenty-three patients were included. They had a total of 173 co-morbidities: 74 (54.8%) had carpal tunnel syndrome; 30 (22.2%) had cubital tunnel syndrome; 5 (3.7%) had pronator syndrome; 8 (5.9%) had Guyon's canal syndrome; 2 (1.5%) had medial epicondylitis; 35 (25.9%) had lateral epicondylitis; 7 (5.2%) had Wartenberg's syndrome; 5 (3.7%) had DeQuervain's tenosynovitis; 3 (2.2%) had trigger finger; and 1 (0.7%) each had basilar joint arthritis, anterior interosseous nerve syndrome, and a mass compressing the radial nerve.

The study showed that other co-morbidities, often also related to repetitive motion, were frequently seen in patients with radial tunnel syndrome and should be carefully evaluated on physical examination or diagnostic study.