Peripheral nerve entrapments, repetitive strain disorder, occupation-related syndromes, bursitis, and tendonitis

Physiologically, peripheral nerve entrapments show focal slowing, and histologically, segmental demyelination and remyelination occur. Entrapment neuropathies result from direct mechanical injury (eg, chronic low pressure or friction in the carpal tunnel syndrome). Compartment syndromes occur when locally increased pressure within a closed muscle compartment compromises local circulation and neuromuscular function. Perioperative nerve lesions result from acute trauma to susceptible individual nerves during surgical procedures. Overuse syndromes belong to the broad clinical group of repetitive strain disorders, and are injuries caused by cumulative effects on tissues of repetitive physical stress that exceeds physiologic limits (eg, occupation-related focal nerve compressions in certain musicians). Current utilization of neurophysiologic electrodiagnostic studies and neuroimaging technology, such as magnetic resonance imaging, facilitates diagnosis and appropriate therapy in many of the disorders mentioned in this paper.