If it’s painful to do so, it’s also a sign of radial tunnel syndrome. The second part of this test requires you to keep your middle finger straight against resistance. If you experience pain in your forearm, it’s likely a sign of radial tunnel syndrome. Physical exam : Your doctor will ask you to turn your palm from a palm down position to a palm up position against resistance.There are also two specific tests that your doctor may use to diagnose this condition, which include: Then they’ll try to find the exact point where the nerve is being compressed inside your radial tunnel by feeling around the outside of your elbow and applying light pressure. Even so, your doctor may order an X-ray, MRI or electromyography test, just to rule out other potential injuries or conditions.īefore examining your elbow and forearm, your doctor will ask you about your specific pain, your medical history and your symptoms. There are no formal imaging tests that can diagnose radial tunnel syndrome, which makes diagnosing this condition somewhat difficult. Excessively gripping, pinching or bending your wrist.A direct, hard blow to the outside of your elbow or forearm.Think about throwing a football or baseball - you initially pull your arm back and then push it forward to release the ball. Constantly putting your arm through push-and-pull activities.Typing or using a screwdriver are good examples of these types of motions. Repeating certain motions (often at work) over and over again.But there are several different activities that can cause radial tunnel syndrome, including: When your radial nerve goes through the radial tunnel below your elbow, it travels between different muscle bellies and under facial bands (facial bands are tissue fibers that enclose, separate or bind together muscles, organs and other soft structures in your body.) When the radial tunnel, and all the structures inside it, becomes inflamed, it puts too much pressure on the nerve, leading to this condition. Tennis elbow is also a condition that possesses a lot of similar symptoms, so it’s important to be specific when talking with your doctor about your symptoms. Sometimes radial tunnel syndrome can cause wrist drop, meaning you lose the ability to lift your hand past a certain point. The pain may also get worse while you’re sleeping. Over time, radial tunnel syndrome can weaken your forearm muscles and your overall wrist strength, making it increasingly difficult to grip or lift certain things. General activities that require extensive use of your forearm and/or wrist.Certain activities can make these symptoms worse, including: The pain is a nagging ache that can stick with you and cause fatigue. You’ll likely feel pain and tenderness in the area on the outside of your elbow, stretching down to your forearm. What are the symptoms of radial tunnel syndrome? Each year, only 0.003% of the general population deal with superficial radial nerve compression. Tumors or ganglion cysts (mass or lump) in your arm.Failing to adequately warm-up before playing sports.Poor arm and wrist strength and flexibility.There are also certain factors that may put you at a greater risk of developing radial tunnel syndrome, including: Women are also much more likely to develop this condition than men. Radial tunnel syndrome is most common in people between the ages of 30 and 50. Who is most at risk of developing radial tunnel syndrome? This creates unwanted pressure on your radial nerve, often causing nagging pain. Radial tunnel syndrome occurs when the nerve is pinched or compressed as it enters the radial tunnel. When the nerve reaches your elbow, it passes through the radial tunnel, which is a collection of muscles. Your radial nerve is responsible for a lot of different arm movements, including forearm rotation, elbow extension, and wrist and finger movement. The radial nerve is one of three nerves in your forearm, traveling from the side of your neck, down the back of your arm, through your forearm and into your hand.