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. 2020 Jul 22;5(4):e829.
doi: 10.1097/PR9.0000000000000829. eCollection 2020 Jul-Aug.

Entrapment neuropathies: a contemporary approach to pathophysiology, clinical assessment, and management

Annina B Schmid  1 , Joel Fundaun  1   2 , Brigitte Tampin  3   4   5
Affiliations

Entrapment neuropathies: a contemporary approach to pathophysiology, clinical assessment, and management

Annina B Schmid et al. Pain Rep. .

Abstract

Entrapment neuropathies such as carpal tunnel syndrome, radiculopathies, or radicular pain are the most common peripheral neuropathies and also the most common cause for neuropathic pain. Despite their high prevalence, they often remain challenging to diagnose and manage in a clinical setting. Summarising the evidence from both preclinical and clinical studies, this review provides an update on the aetiology and pathophysiology of entrapment neuropathies. Potential mechanisms are put in perspective with clinical findings. The contemporary assessment is discussed and diagnostic pitfalls highlighted. The evidence for the noninvasive and surgical management of common entrapment neuropathies is summarised and future areas of research are identified.

Keywords: Assessment; Carpal tunnel syndrome; Compression neuropathies; Diagnosis; Entrapment neuropathies; Management; Pathomechanisms; Radicular pain; Radiculopathy; Sciatica; Treatment.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no conflict of interest to declare. A.B. Schmid is supported by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Oxford Biomedical Research Centre (BRC). Brigitte Tampin was supported by the Government of Western Australia, Department of Health, and Raine Medical Research Foundation. The views expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the NHS, the NIHR or the Department of Health.Sponsorships or competing interests that may be relevant to content are disclosed at the end of this article.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Potential pathomechanisms and risk factors contributing to entrapment neuropathies.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Neuropathic pain grading system adapted from .
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Bedside sensory testing tools.
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
Potential drivers contributing to specific multidimensional profiles in patients with entrapment neuropathies. The spiderweb highlights how distinct drivers may be more prominent in 3 distinct patient presentations (green, blue, and pink). The weighting of these drivers in individual patients may contribute to the design of personalized management for patients with entrapment neuropathies.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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