Carpal Tunnel Syndrome often gets the spotlight, but it’s not the only type of nerve entrapment that can affect the arm. Radial Tunnel Syndrome (RTS), though less common, occurs when the radial nerve becomes compressed as it passes through the radial tunnel near the elbow and forearm. This can occur due to repetitive motions, overuse or direct trauma. Because the affected nerve primarily controls muscles rather than sensation, its symptoms can be subtle and are often mistaken for other conditions.
Unlike other nerve compression conditions, RTS doesn’t always cause numbness or tingling. Instead, it often presents as a deep, persistent ache in the forearm and back of the hand that worsens with activity, accompanied by tenderness and muscle weakness. If left untreated, these issues can worsen over time, impacting work, hobbies, and everyday activities.
Don’t wait to get the care you need. At FORM Hand Therapy, Dr. Besh brings extensive experience in treating upper extremity injuries, including RTS, providing personalized care to help you find relief and restore function. Here’s what patients in the Fremont area can expect when visiting our office for their appointment.
Effective Radial Tunnel Syndrome Treatments at FORM Hand Therapy
- Comprehensive Evaluation: Diagnosing RTS can be challenging, as there’s no single definitive test, and other conditions, such as tennis elbow, can cause similar signs. To get an accurate diagnosis, Dr. Besh takes a thorough approach, combining a detailed physical examination, medical imaging, and, when necessary, nerve tests such as EMG.
- Treatment Planning: Following your evaluation, our team will design a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs. In most cases, it starts with conservative approaches that focus on relieving symptoms and preventing their recurrence. These may include the following:
- Pain Management: To help ease discomfort and promote recovery, Dr. Besh may recommend resting the affected area, taking anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs), applying ice or heat therapy, and using a brace or splint to decrease swelling and pressure on the radial nerve.
- Hand Therapy: At FORM Hand Therapy, we offer personalized hand therapy designed to help you adapt to your daily activities, optimize your workspace, and prevent further strain. Our approach includes targeted exercises and stretches that strengthen muscles, improve mobility, and reduce the risk of reinjury.
- Corticosteroid Injections: These injections can help minimize inflammation and manage pain, making it easier to perform daily activities comfortably while supporting your overall recovery.
- Surgical Intervention: In more severe cases, surgery may be recommended to relieve pressure on the radial nerve, enhance blood flow, and provide long-term pain relief.
Get Relief from Radial Tunnel Syndrome at FORM Hand Therapy in Fremont
If radial tunnel syndrome is slowing you down, you don’t have to keep pushing through the pain. While this condition is relatively rare, it can be debilitating, and because it affects a nerve, delaying care can allow symptoms to progress and increase the risk of permanent damage. The sooner you seek treatment, the better your chances of a full recovery will be.
At FORM Hand Therapy, we proudly serve Fremont and the surrounding communities, helping patients overcome hand, elbow, and wrist conditions that interfere with work, hobbies, and daily life. With personalized care, advanced non-surgical therapies, and surgical options when necessary, our focus is straightforward: to restore function, relieve pain, and help you return to doing what you love.
Call (510) 350-3030 today or request your appointment online and take the first step toward lasting relief.
Sources:
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15658-radial-tunnel-syndrome