Clinical content drawn from Dr. Loredo's pronator teres syndrome condition page · Published 2026-10-07
This one-minute video explains pronator teres syndrome: the median nerve squeezed in the upper forearm, the three warning signs worth acting on, and how treatment moves from activity changes, a forearm splint and hand therapy to surgery, when needed.
Full transcript
Spoken by Sarah, Dr. Loredo's AI education assistant.
Forearm aching and numb fingers? Hi, I'm Sarah, Dr. Loredo's AI education assistant.
That may be pronator teres syndrome: the median nerve squeezed in the upper forearm.
Three warning signs. An ache in the front of the forearm that gets worse with gripping or manual work.
Numbness in the thumb, index, middle, and half of the ring finger. And unlike carpal tunnel, it does not wake you at night.
Treatment starts with activity changes, a forearm splint, and hand therapy, for at least three to six months.
If symptoms persist, surgery releases the nerve at all four tight points. Surgery, when needed, is scheduled at the first available opening.
Call (972) 939-4974, or start your forms at loredohand.com. New patients are seen within days.
Questions patients ask
What is pronator teres syndrome?
Pronator teres syndrome is compression of the median nerve in the proximal forearm at one or more of four potential anatomic narrow points. Patients present with aching pain in the volar forearm and median-distribution numbness in the thumb, index, middle, and half of the ring finger. Unlike carpal tunnel syndrome, the symptoms are not nocturnal and are reproduced by repetitive forearm rotation rather than by wrist position.
What are the warning signs of pronator teres syndrome?
Aching pain in the front of the forearm, often worse with use. Numbness or tingling in the thumb, index, middle, and the radial half of the ring finger. Symptoms that worsen with manual work, gripping, and forearm rotation, and that do not wake you at night, which is a key contrast with carpal tunnel. Tenderness over the pronator teres muscle in the upper front of the forearm.
How is pronator teres syndrome treated?
At least 3 to 6 months of structured conservative care is appropriate before considering surgery: activity modification to reduce repetitive forearm rotation, forearm splinting, targeted hand therapy with median nerve glide exercises, and anti-inflammatory medication. Surgery is considered when symptoms persist beyond that and the patient is significantly limited in work or daily activity. The operation releases all four potential compression sites, because partial release is associated with persistent or recurrent symptoms. Surgery, when needed, is scheduled at the first available opening after your evaluation.
Who treats pronator teres syndrome near Southlake and Dallas-Fort Worth?
Dr. Pedro Loredo, MD, board-certified in General Surgery (American Board of Surgery) and Hand Surgery (American Board of Plastic Surgery), at Loredo Hand Care Institute, 431 E State Hwy 114, Suite 380, Southlake, TX 76092. The practice serves Southlake, Grapevine, Colleyville, Keller, Hurst, Bedford, Euless, North Richland Hills, Dallas and Fort Worth. New patients are seen within days. Call (972) 939-4974. Se habla español.
Read the full pronator teres syndrome condition page · Video: carpal tunnel syndrome
If this sounds like your forearm
Call Loredo Hand Care Institute or start your forms online. New patients are seen within days; surgery, when needed, is scheduled at the first available opening. Se habla español.