Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Endoscopically assisted release of the superficial radial nerve

  • Handsurgery
  • Published:
Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Introduction

The feasibility of endoscopically assisted decompression of the superficial radial nerve at the midportion and distal forearm was assessed.

Surgical technique

After a 3 cm longitudinal skin incision at the Tinel’s sign at the forearm, the subcutaneous tissue is dissected until forearm fascia is detected. The fascia is opened cautiously under direct visualization and the superficial radial nerve is identified. Blunt forceps mobilize the subcutaneous tissue upon the fascia before the illuminated speculum is inserted. Then further dissection of the fascia is performed proximally using the Metzenbaum scissors. After further blunt tunneling by forceps the endoscope is introduced proximally in order to release the superficial radial nerve completely. Then the speculum is inserted distally to identify the nerve within the subcutaneous tissue. Then further visualization is facilitated using the endoscope.

Conclusion

The endoscopically assisted release of the superficial radial nerve may be feasible in a safe and sufficient way.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12

References

  1. Tzeng C, Lee T, Chen I (2005) Superficial radial nerve compression caused by a parosteal lipoma of proximal radius: a case report. Hand Surg 10(2–3):293–296. doi:10.1142/S0218810405002851

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Tosun N, Tuncay I, Akpinar F (2001) Entrapment of the sensory branch of the radial nerve (Wartenberg’s syndrome): an unusual cause. Tohoku J Exp Med 193(3):251–254

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Doyle JR, Botte MJ (2003) Surgical anatomy of the hand and upper extremity. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia

    Google Scholar 

  4. Turkof E, Puig S, Choi SS et al (1995) The radial sensory nerve entrapped between the two slips of a split brachioradialis tendon: a rare aspect of Wartenberg’s syndrome. J Hand Surg Am 20(4):676–678

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Bering J, Bignion D, Kurzen P (2013) Die Erweiterungsplastik des ersten Strecksehnenfachs zur operativen Behandlung der Tendovaginitis de Quervain (Enlargement plasty of the first dorsal compartment for the surgical treatment of de Quervain’s tenosynovitis). Oper Orthop Traumatol 25(4):361–370. doi:10.1007/s00064-012-0206-3 (quiz 371)

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Lanzetta M, Foucher G (1993) Entrapment of the superficial branch of the radial nerve (Wartenberg’s syndrome). A report of 52 cases. Int Orthop 17(6):342–345

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Han BR, Cho YJ, Yang JS et al (2014) Clinical features of wrist drop caused by compressive radial neuropathy and its anatomical considerations. J Korean Neurosurg Soc 55(3):148–151. doi:10.3340/jkns.2014.55.3.148

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Chen L, Duan X, Huang X et al (2014) Effectiveness and safety of endoscopic versus open carpal tunnel decompression. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 134(4):585–593. doi:10.1007/s00402-013-1898-z

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Leclère FMP, Manz S, Unglaub F et al (2011) Décompression endoscopique du nerf ulnaire dans le syndrome cubital au coude: à propos de 55 patients (Endoscopic decompression of the ulnar nerve in the cubital tunnel syndrome: about 55 patients). Neurochirurgie 57(2):73–77. doi:10.1016/j.neuchi.2011.03.002

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Mirza A, Mirza JB, Lee BK et al (2014) An anatomical basis for endoscopic cubital tunnel release and associated clinical outcomes. J Hand Surg Am 39(7):1363–1369. doi:10.1016/j.jhsa.2014.04.030

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Lee AK, Khorsandi M, Nurbhai N et al (2012) Endoscopically assisted decompression for pronator syndrome. J Hand Surg Am 37(6):1173–1179. doi:10.1016/j.jhsa.2012.02.023

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Löw S, Herold A, Eingartner C (2014) Die standardisierte Arthroskopie des Handgelenks: Technik und Dokumentation (Standard wrist arthroscopy: technique and documentation). Oper Orthop Traumatol 26(6):539–546. doi:10.1007/s00064-014-0311-6

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. van Schoonhoven J (2014) Arthroskopien an Handgelenk und Hand (Arthroscopy of the wrist and hand). Oper Orthop Traumatol 26(6):537–538. doi:10.1007/s00064-014-0355-7

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Haefeli M, Schaefer DJ, Kalbermatten DF et al (2013) Endoskopie in der Handchirurgie. Obere Extremität 8(2):103–110. doi:10.1007/s11678-013-0209-1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Damert H, Hoffmann R, Kraus A et al (2013) Minimally invasive endoscopic decompression for anterior interosseous nerve syndrome: technical notes. J Hand Surg Am 38(10):2016–2024. doi:10.1016/j.jhsa.2013.07.026

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Leclère FM, Bignion D, Franz T et al (2013) Endoscopically assisted nerve decompression of rare nerve compression syndromes at the upper extremity. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 133(4):575–582. doi:10.1007/s00402-012-1668-3

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Spies CK, Müller LP, Oppermann J et al (2014) Instability of the distal radioulnar joint—an overview of clinical and radiological procedures regarding their efficacies. Handchir Mikrochir Plast Chir 46(3):137–150. doi:10.1055/s-0033-1363662

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank the Richard and Annemarie Wolf Foundation for the financial support in order to realize this study. Christian K Spies and Frank Unglaub received funding from the Richard and Annemarie Wolf Foundation. This project did receive funding from the Richard and Annemarie Wolf Foundation.

Conflict of interest

The other authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Hand Surgery, Vulpius Klinik, Vulpiusstraße 29, 74906, Bad Rappenau, Germany

    Christian K. Spies, Frank Unglaub & Peter Hahn

  2. Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, University Hospital Cologne, Kerpener Str. 62, 50937, Cologne, Germany

    Lars P. Müller & Johannes Oppermann

  3. Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Caritas-Krankenhaus, Uhlandstraße 7, 97980, Bad Mergentheim, Germany

    Steffen Löw

Authors
  1. Christian K. Spies
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Frank Unglaub
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Lars P. Müller
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Peter Hahn
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Steffen Löw
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Johannes Oppermann
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Christian K. Spies.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Spies, C.K., Unglaub, F., Müller, L.P. et al. Endoscopically assisted release of the superficial radial nerve. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 135, 737–741 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00402-015-2207-9

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00402-015-2207-9

Keywords

Search

Navigation