Peripheral Entrapment Neuropathies

Abstract

The effects of peripheral nerve compression have only been appreciated for a century. Panas published the first description of tardy ulnar palsy in 1878(17), exactly a hundred years ago, although Morton had preceded him by two years in his classical paper(14) about the neuroma which may form in the forefoot after presumed

pressure, repeated trauma or degeneration. Since that time many other peripheral entrapment neuropathies have been encountered and discussed (2) (10) and the importance of early and effective treatment appreciated.

This paper will present a synopsis of the pathology and sites of such entrapment, excluding the lesions of nerve that may occur from proximal pressure secondary to vertebral disc, spinal or thoracic outlet pathology. The effects of ulnar nerve compression at the elbow will be discussed in some detail using data obtained from a recent retrospective review of 100 patients with this complaint.