Radial Nerve Syndrome

Radial nerve syndrome is a rare disease that affects one in 200 thousand people. It occurs when there is damage to the radial nerve, which runs from the spinal cord to the arm and is used to control the muscles of the arm, hand, and fingers. Symptoms of the syndrome may include pain in the shoulder girdle, muscle weakness, numbness and tingling in the fingers.

When the nerve is damaged, the arm muscles may become uncontrollable or "dead." This can lead to impaired arm function and even paralysis. Treatment for radial nerve syndrome includes medications, physical therapy, and sometimes surgery.

The causes of radial nerve syndrome can vary, including injury, shoulder surgery, muscle disease, and other conditions. Many cases remain unknown. In some cases, the cause of the syndrome may be genetic, for example if someone has