ABSTRACT
Peripheral nerve entrapment may result from compression, distraction, angulation or friction. Compression may occur when the space available for the passage of a nerve is insufficient. This usually follows an increase in tissue pressure due to trauma, pregnancy, metabolic or endocrine disturbance, tumour, malformation or vitamin deficiency. A nerve may also be compressed by a hypertrophied or anomalous muscle, scar tissue, tumour or bony deformity. Friction may occur when a nerve lying in its normal anatomical position is repeatedly moved over its surrounding structures by movement of an adjacent joint.
