RADIAL TUNNEL RELEASE - UNPREDICTABLE OUTCOME IN 37 CONSECUTIVE CASESWITH A 1-5-YEAR FOLLOW-UP

37 consecutive patients with radial tunnel syndrome treated by decompr ession of the posterior interosseous nerve and application of a free f at transplant were retrospectively evaluated 3.5 (1-5) years postopera tively by an independent observer. Substantial pain relief was reporte d by 13 patients and 15 patients were satisfied with the outcome. 16 o f 35 patients returned to their preoperative employment. There were co mplications in 12 cases, including two radial nerve pareses. Preoperat ive and operative findings did not correlate to the outcome. Judging f rom this study, the symptoms and signs used as diagnostic criteria for radial tunnel syndrome may be unreliable and the results of posterior interosseous nerve decompression unpredictable.