DISTAL COMPRESSIVE NEUROPATHIES OF THE LO WER-EXTREMITY - CLINICAL AND ELECTROPHYSIOLOGICAL STUDY

Rare distal compressions of lower limb nerves include tarsal tunnel sy ndrome, entrapment of the first branch of the lateral plantar and medi al calcaneal nerves, interdigital neuroma, compression of the deep per oneal nerve on the dorsum of the foot, entrapment of the superficial p eroneal and sural nerves. Nerve conduction and electromyographic studi es are essential to evaluate these peripheral nerve injuries in order to differentiate focal lower extremity nerve entrapments from ischemic mononeuropathies, lumbar radiculopathies or plexopathies, and general ized peripheral neuropathies. This review summarizes the clinical and electrophysiological findings for each of these rare entrapment syndro mes and provides the necessary clues to obtain a correct differential diagnosis with other more common causes of foot and ankle pain and par esthesias.