Common Peripheral Nerve Diseases

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Chronic entrapment of the median nerve beneath the transverse carpal ligament is the most common human entrapment neuropathy by far. The commonest symptoms are on and off bouts of tingling and numbness in the hands which is most severe at night and often awakens from sleep. Very often they have symptoms whilst driving or holding anything in the hands (e.g. telephone, knife and fork etc.) and tend to drop things. There may be weakness of grip strength and dexterity problems when severe. Aching pain may occur in the wrist and hand and later extend proximally to the elbow and even as far as shoulder. Electrophysiology provides the definite diagnosis of the condition and defines the severity of the condition and practically excludes the probability.  It also differentiates possible different levels of median entrapment neuropathy than across the carpal tunnel.  It provides pre-operative base line for probable post operative persistence or recurrence of some or all symptoms, or post-operative complications, iatrogenic or otherwise.

Ulnar Entrapment Neuropathy

Ulnar neuropathy at the level of elbow is a common peripheral entrapment mononeuropathy, second only to carpal tunnel syndrome in incidence. Neurophysiological examination shows presence or absence of significant ulnar      nerve lesion.  It localises the site of the pathology, defines the severity and thus  provides a guide on whether or when to operate. The neurophysiological evaluation      provides the pre-operative base for follow up and differentiates ulnar neuropathy from other peripheral nerve lesions with similar symptoms.

Common Peroneal Entrapment Neuropathy

Neurophysiological assessment will prove presence of the condition and differentiate it from other possible causes of peripheral nerve lesions like sciatic neuropathy, lumbosacral radiculopathy or generalized neuropathy.

Neuralgia Amyotrophica (Idiopathic Brachial Neuropathy)

Neurophysiological examination confirms the presence of multiple peripheral nerve lesions and establishes the diagnosis and differentiates from possible cervical root lesion.

Diabetic Polyneuropathy

In a patient who is diabetic developing sensory/motor symptoms the electrophysiological findings confirm the presence of peripheral neuropathy, which would establish the diagnosis of diabetic polyneuropathy.

Acute Compressive/Traumatic Lesions of the Peripheral Nerves - e.g.

Saturday night palsy - radial nerve lesion
Strawberry pickers drop foot - peroneal nerve lesion
Etc, specific falls, traumas, leading to symptoms of possible nerve damage

Bells Palsy

Electrophysiology defines the severity of the condition and provides prognostic signs

What the risks are?

There are essentially no risks.