THE POSTERIOR INTEROSSEOUS NERVE AND THE RADIAL TUNNEL-SYNDROME - AN ANATOMICAL STUDY

Twenty anatomical specimens were carefully studied in order to establi sh a possible connection between the posterior interosseous nerve and the radial tunnel syndrome. Our results show that the posterior intero sseous nerve distal to the supinator muscle may be compressed by vario us structures. These include the distal border of the supinator muscle , the ramifications of the anterior and posterior interosseous vessels , and the septum between the extensor carpi ulnaris and the extensor d igitorum minimi. The posterior interosseous nerve is also stressed dur ing passive supination (elongation and rotation), and during passive p ronation (compression). This suggests that the interosseous nerve dist al to the supinator muscle should be explored in radial tunnel compres sion syndromes.