Compression neuropathies of the radial nerve

Abstract

The commonest cause of radial nerve dysfunction is from extrinsic compressions of the radial nerve, such as against the shaft of the humerus in “Saturday night palsy”. However, this chapter focuses on the less common intrinsic compression neuropathies of the radial nerve. Intrinsic radial nerve compression neuropathies occur much less frequently than those of the median or ulnar nerves. The combined annual incidence of compressive neuropathies of the posterior interosseous nerve and the superficial radial nerve is only 0.003%, compared to an annual incidence 0.1–0.35% for carpal tunnel syndrome and 0.03% for ulnar nerve compression syndromes. Three radial nerve compression syndromes are described: Radial Tunnel Syndrome (RTS); Posterior Interosseous Nerve (PIN) syndrome; and compression of the Superficial Radial Nerve (SRN) in Wartenberg’s syndrome [1].