Mononeuropathy

Alternative names:

neuropathy - isolated

Definition:

A disorder involving loss of movement or sensation to an area, caused by damage to an isolated nerve group.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Mononeuropathy involves damage or destruction of an isolated nerve or nerve group. It is a type of peripheral neuropathy (damage to nerves other than the nerves of the brain and spinal cord).

Mononeuropathy most commonly is associated with local causes of nerve damage such as trauma, although occasionally systemic disorders may cause isolated nerve damage (such as occurs with mononeuritis multiplex). The usual causes are direct trauma, prolonged pressure on the nerve, and compression of the nerve from nearby body structures. The damage includes destruction of the myelin sheath (covering) of the nerve or of part of the nerve cell (the axon). This damage slows or prevents conduction of impulses through the nerve.

Mononeuropathy may involve any part of the body. Some of the common forms of mononeuropathy include:

• sciatic nerve dysfunction
• common peroneal nerve dysfunction
• radial nerve dysfunction
• ulnar nerve dysfunction
• cranial mononeuropathy VI
• cranial mononeuropathy VII
• cranial mononeuropathy III; compression type
• cranial mononeuropathy III; diabetic type
• axillary nerve dysfunction
• distal median nerve dysfunction
• femoral nerve dysfunction
• tibial nerve dysfunction