Common peripheral nerve injuries in sport: diagnosis and management

• Published in: Handbook of Clinical Neurology Vol. 158; pp. 401 - 419
• Main Authors: Lolis, Athena M., Falsone, Susan, Beric, Aleksandar
• Format: Book Chapter Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Health Sciences 2018
• Subjects: Athletic Injuries - complications; axonotmesis; Disease Management; Humans; management; nerve injury; neurapraxia; neurophysiology; neurotmesis; Peripheral Nerve Injuries - diagnosis; Peripheral Nerve Injuries - etiology; Peripheral Nerve Injuries - therapy; physical therapy; prognosis; neurapraxia; management; nerve injury; physical therapy; neurotmesis; neurophysiology; axonotmesis; prognosis
• ISBN: 9780444639547; 0444639543
• ISSN: 0072-9752
• DOI: 10.1016/B978-0-444-63954-7.00038-0

Peripheral nerve injuries are unusual in sport but impact an athlete's safe return to play. Nerve injuries result from either acute trauma (most commonly in contact/collision sports) or from repetitive microtrauma and overuse. Diagnosis of overuse nerve injuries includes nerve localization and surrounding soft-tissue anatomy, and must account for possible causes of repetitive microtrauma, including biomechanics, equipment, training schedule, and recovery. Prognosis is related to the type of nerve injury. Management should not simply be rest and gradual return to sport but should address biomechanical and training predispositions to injury. Understanding the type of injury and the tissues involved will guide appropriate rehabilitation decisions. Recognizing acute care considerations and implementing appropriate strategies can help minimize secondary trauma to an area following acute injury.