It’s Seems Tennis Elbow, But It’s Not. It’s Radial Tunnel Syndrome

If you are diagnosed as having “tennis elbow” but the treatment doesn’t seems to be helping, you might just have Radial Tunnel Syndrome. Both have similar pain symptoms (but not quite the same) in the same general area of the elbow.

What’s The Difference?

Tennis elbow is a case of tendinitis or tendinopathy. The tendon of the forearm muscles becomes irritated and inflammed, or degenerated. (See tennis elbow)

Radial Tunnel Syndrome is when the radial nerves become entrapped. Radial Tunnel Syndrome is similar to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. However, unlike Radial Tunnel Syndrome, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is where the nerves in your wrist are pinched. This causes tingling sensations in your fingers and pain when typing on the keyboard.

The radial nerve is a nerve the starts from the lower neck area of your spine. It will travel through your upper arm to your hands and wrists.

In elbow pain, the nerve is commonly believed to be entrapped or impinged in the “Arcade of Frohse”. The Arcade of Frohse, sometimes called the supinator arch, is the the part closest to the elbow of the topmost layer of the supinator muscle. The supinator muscles is the one that contracts to rotate your palms to face up or away from your body.

Which is which now?

Experiencing elbow or wrist pain? Click here to find out more about physiotherapy for elbow or wrist pain relief and how Core Concepts can help