Median and radial nerve compression about the elbow.

It is important for physicians who treat upper extremity disorders to understand motor palsy or pain syndromes caused by compression of the median and radial nerves about the elbow and forearm. Patients with anterior interosseous nerve syndrome may report hand weakness, whereas those with pronator syndrome may present with pain and paresthesia that can be confused with carpal tunnel syndrome. Patients with posterior interosseous nerve syndrome report hand weakness, whereas those with radial tunnel syndrome report pain in the lateral elbow and forearm, which may be confused with lateral epicondylitis. Because each syndrome has overlapping symptoms, serial examinations are needed to determine the correct diagnosis.