Upper Extremity Nerve Compression Syndromes – More Than Just a Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Review Article

Katerina Kasapinova; Viktor Kamiloski; Emilija  Atanasovska; Katerina  Spasovska

doi:10.3889/oamjms.2025.12057

Authors

Katerina Kasapinova Medical Faculty, St. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Department of Traumatology, University Surgery Clinic “St. Naum Ohridski”, Address: “11 Oktomvri” 53, 1000 Skopje, Republic of North Macedonia https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7921-7357
Viktor Kamiloski Medical Faculty, St. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Department of Traumatology, University Surgery Clinic “St. Naum Ohridski”, Address: “11 Oktomvri” 53, 1000 Skopje, Republic of North Macedonia https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1090-3054
Emilija Atanasovska Medical Faculty, St. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Address “50-ta Divizija” 6, 1000 Skopje, Republic of North Macedonia https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4596-9563
Katerina Spasovska Medical Faculty, St. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, University Clinic for Infectious Diseases, Address: “Majka Tereza” 17, 1000 Skopje, Republic of North Macedonia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4614-9842

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3889/oamjms.2025.12057

Keywords:

Nerve compression syndrome, Nerve entrapment, Upper extremity, Manual muscle strength testing, Lacertus syndrome

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Besides carpal tunnel syndrome and cubital tunnel syndrome, other nerve entrapment sites in the upper extremity are less recognized. Only half of the upper extremity compression neuropathy syndromes are actually carpal tunnel and cubital tunnel compressions. This suggests that the rest of the entrapment syndromes are potentially not treated adequately. They are often misdiagnosed or the level of compression is not being distinguished.

AIM: To raise awareness of compression syndromes (other than the carpal tunnel) in the arms and to describe the clinical triad to diagnose them.

METHODS: This is a narrative review of the clinical features of the compression syndromes of the median, ulnar, and radial nerves in the upper extremities. The diagnostic triad for each syndrome is analyzed. The review focuses especially on the lacertus syndrome and describes the surgical release.

CONCLUSION: A correct diagnosis is essential for targeted treatment of upper extremity nerve compression syndromes. It should also include an assessment of individual muscle strength, which is a critical part of the clinical neurological tests.

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