High median nerve entrapments. An obscure cause of upper-extremity pain.

Compression of the median nerve at the wrist is the most common nerve entrapment syndrome but may be over- or misdiagnosed. With high (proximal) median nerve entrapment being uncommon and having an elusive diagnosis, proximal compression may be overlooked as a cause of the painful upper extremity. Recognition and diagnosis of this problem will help ensure timely and effective management of the more common pain syndromes.