Entrapment Neuropathies

Abstract

Entrapment neuropathy is a compression over a peripheral nerve where it passes through its normal anatomical constrained area .Two types of compression may occur by fibro-osseous tunn­ els and fibrotendinous arcades , the three common entrapment neuropathies are carpal tunnel syndrome, cubital tunnel syndrome and neuralgia paraesthetica, the commonest entrapment encounte­ red in clinical practice is the carpal tunnel syndrome . The condit­ ion is characterized by pain, paraesthesia or loss of function in the distribution of the nerve under compression. Signs of entrapment may include alteration of temperature or pain sensation and motor atrophy or weakness in the distribution of the peripheral nerve . Symptoms may be reproduced or exacerbated by rendering the nerve relatively ischaemic or increasing its entrapment by selected positional changes of parts of extremity , . Brief percussion over a nerve rendered irritable by entrapment may result in a dysesthenic electric like sensation radiating into the distribution of the nerve . Confirmation of the diagnosis is by conventional nerve conduction and electromyography . Treatment includes conservative in cases with minor symptoms, surgical interference in refractory cases including : simple decompression, nerve transposition , recently endoscopic decompression has been introduced .