Radial Tunnel Syndrome Research Paper

Routines are everyday activities of daily living, or ADLs, that a person does without any second thoughts. Showering, making coffee, and even making your bed. For most, leaving the house without brushing ones teeth is almost taboo. Along with it being a major health factor, it's also a sign of independence. Just simply being able bodied enough to grip a toothbrush and go with the motions is a form of self-sufficiency. For some, that independence is not so attainable. A person brushing their teeth can suffer from intense pain with elbow extension. One of the reasons for this could be due to a condition called Radial Tunnel Syndrome. Radial Tunnel Syndrome can have a huge impact when brushing ones teeth. The movements of the shoulder, arm, humorous,

The impact on occupational performance may vary for each person. Although, the effect that radial tunnel syndrome has on the upper extremities usually causes an interruption in ADLs. For a person who has normal muscle function, brushing ones teeth is a relatively simple task. Beginning with the preparation of brushing teeth, one might already have the cap off of the toothpaste. The sink will be on and running, where a person will then run the toothbrush under the stream of water. Finally, the last step in preparation for this task would be to apply the toothpaste onto the toothbrush. The action of brushing ones teeth can be simplified into five main stages. With the toothbrush in one’s dominant hand, extend the forearm to the running sink water. Once the toothbrush is wet, the person would utilize elbow flexion and pronation, while raising the toothbrush to mouth. From there the action of brushing teeth would begin. With the dominant hand in a pencil grasp, use upward and downward strokes with the toothbrush against the teeth. From there, one would take the toothbrush from mouth to the running water. Lastly, the person would then place the toothbrush onto the counter. These steps are easily achieved by a person with the absence of radial tunnel syndrome. However, a person with this condition would have difficulties with the many muscle

With forearm and elbow injuries being so common, the resources to diagnose such conditions are readily available in today’s society. However, because radial tunnel syndrome and lateral epicondylitis have such similar symptoms, it is not uncommon for one to be under looked. For clinicians, the easiest way to differentiate between the two is to pinpoint the exact location of discomfort. Specific testing, such as the EMG, will test to see if the forearm muscles are intact and functioning normally. Assistive passive range of motion will also help the therapist determine the patients end feel. This will be vital in the intervention process.(ORTHOPOD). If there was to be an issue with the radial nerve, the test would include that there is a disruption in the muscles.(ORTHOPOD). There are a variety of treatment options for radial tunnel syndrome, both surgical and nonsurgical. The most important part of rehabilitation for this condition is to refrain from repetitive arm movements. For this is the action that causes the entrapment of the radial nerve. Splints are a common practice in the recovery process and have been deemed effective. For surgical interventions, the patient will undergo an operation. This surgery will locate the radial nerve, while severing all points of compression both proximal and distal between the biceps brachii and the brachialis. The prognosis, or