Peripheral nerve entrapment syndromes.

Peripheral nerve entrapment syndromes must be identified early through careful clinical examination and appropriate diagnostic studies. These neuropathies cause significant pain and disability, but the impairment of nerve function is usually reversible in the early stages. Electromyography and nerve conduction studies are helpful in the differential diagnosis and in localizing the site of entrapment. The carpal tunnel is the most common site of median nerve entrapment, and the cubital tunnel is the most frequent site of ulnar nerve compression.