Radial tunnel syndrome: long-term results of surgical decompression

Between 1980 and 1990, 31 patients (33 extremities) underwent decompression of the radial tunnel. All procedures were performed at the same institution by the senior author using a brachioradialis muscle-splitting approach. Twenty-three patients (24 extremities) were available for follow-up evaluation at an average of 8 years after surgery. The outcome was determined using the original criteria of Roles and Maudsley and Ritts et al. By the criteria of Roles and Maudsley, outcomes for 15 patients (16 extremities; 67%) were rated as excellent/good and for 8 patients (8 extremities; 33%), as fair/poor. By the criteria of Ritts et al., 16 patients (17 extremities; 71%) had good results and 7 patients (7 extremities; 29%), a fair/poor result. Overall, the majority of patients were satisfied and felt helped by the surgery. Five patients changed their occupation because of continued discomfort. Significant differences in outcome were not found for workers' compensation patients. Similarly, no differences in outcome were found for site of compression, patient sex, history of trauma, or associated neuropathies. The results of this study suggest that complete pain relief and return to activities following radial tunnel surgery is not as predictable as previous studies have indicated. Nineteen patients (20 extremities), however, felt satisfied and helped and believed they gained improved function because of surgical decompression of the radial tunnel.