Context

Nerve entrapment syndromes are a group of conditions in which peripheral nerves are damaged, through compression or repeated trauma.
This session will look at the three most common nerve entrapment syndromes:

• Median nerve at the wrist (carpal tunnel syndrome)
• Ulnar nerve at the wrist (Guyon’s canal) and elbow
• Radial nerve in the forearm

The pathological process is similar in each case. Therefore, the general principles of treatment are similar.

These general principles will be considered first.
Each nerve specific syndrome will then be reviewed, the anatomy described and specific treatments discussed.

Suprascapular nerve, lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (meralgia paraesthesia) and tibial nerve at the ankle (tarsal tunnel syndrome) will be examined in the Learning Zone session on Uncommon Entrapment Syndromes.