Radial tunnel syndrome. A ten-year surgical experience.

In a ten-year experience with radial tunnel syndrome surgery, 34 of 42 patients had follow-up examination of more than six months (average, 24 months). Although 74% of the patients were improved after surgery, about one-third had some persistent pain and functional restriction. Static electromyographic analysis was not diagnostically helpful. However, diagnostic radial tunnel block was prognostically helpful. Patients selection was important in predicting surgical outcome. In worker's compensation cases, symptoms would often persist. Some patients also appeared to have symptoms referable to compression of the posterior interosseous nerve and tendinitis of the extensor origin, and others had additional ipsilateral compressive neuropathies.