Nerve Conditions

The most common problem relating to nerves that are dealt with by surgeons are the so-called entrapment neuropathies.  This is where nerves may get caught or pinched as they pass through structures around the body.

Arm

• Ulnar Neuropathy- Usually a problem of the ulnar nerve which provides much of the strength to the hand.  This may be caught as it passes through a tunnel at the elbow.  May cause pain, weakness, and numbness-often at night.
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (Median Neuropathy) - the most common of the entrapment neuropathies where the median nerve is caught as it passes through a tunnel at the wrist.  Causes similar problems to ulnar-just in different parts of the hand.

Leg

• Meralgia Paraesthetica- Entrapment of the lateral cutaneous nerve of the thigh.  This causes an unpleasant numbness at the front of the thigh.  Nerve trapped as it comes out of the pelvis.
• Tarsal tunnel syndrome- Similar to carpal tunnel syndrome, where a nerve becomes entrapped just as it enters the foot.
• Lateral Popliteal Syndrome- Entrapment of the nerve as it passes through a tunnel around the top of the fibula (adjacent to the knee).  May cause dropping of the foot.

Head

• Occipital Neuralgia- Entrapment of the greater occipital nerve at the back of the head causing pain on one side at the back of the head.  May be treated by injection, implanting a stimulator, or cutting the nerve.
• Trigeminal Neuralgia - Not really an entrapment neuropathy.  Pain in the face thought to be caused by a blood vessel pressing on the trigeminal nerve inside the skull.  Pain can be very disabling, with triggers including cold, chewing, wind