PIN compression syndrome
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Synopsis
Causes / typical injury mechanism: In general, posterior interosseus nerve (PIN) compression syndrome is caused by either trauma, inflammation, or space-occupying lesions. Traumatic causes include –- Microtrauma from repetitive pronosupination
- Fractures and dislocations: radial head, Monteggia
Inflammatory causes primarily involve rheumatoid synovitis of the radiocapitellar joint.
Iatrogenic causes following surgical intervention are also described.
Classic history and presentation: Classically, a young male laborer or bodybuilder doing repetitive pronosupination activities presenting with forearm and wrist pain, weakness of thumb and wrist extensors, and no sensory deficits.
Prevalence: 2-4 per 100 000 people per year in the United States.
- Age – most common in the second to fourth decade of life
- Sex / gender – more common in males
- Repetitive pronosupination activities
- Compressive lesions
- Elbow trauma (ie, Monteggia fracture or radial head fracture)
- Rheumatoid arthritis
Codes
ICD10CM:G56.80 – Other specified mononeuropathies of unspecified upper limb
SNOMEDCT:
302886004 – Posterior interosseous nerve compression
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Diagnostic Pearls
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Differential Diagnosis & Pitfalls
- Radial tunnel syndrome
- Wartenberg syndrome
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Brachial plexus compression
- Cervical spine nerve compression
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Last Reviewed:03/05/2023
Last Updated:04/04/2023
Last Updated:04/04/2023