Title : Epidemiology of peripheral nerve entrapment injuries in sports
Abstract:
Introduction: Peripheral nerve injuries occur during sports training or competition, these injuries are caused by pressure, stretching, or bone fracture, and are more frequent on upper limbs. Electrodiagnostic testing such as nerve conduction studies serves as an extension of the neuromuscular physical exam. Nerve injuries are categorized as neurapraxia, axonotmesis, and neurotmesis. However, very little is known about the epidemiology of peripheral nerve injuries in sports.
Purpose: To analyze the epidemiology of peripheral nerve entrapment injuries in athletes in a large metropolitan city.
Methods: Descriptive, prospective, and comparative study. 10 athletes from different sport categories were studied with a mean age of 25 years. The measurement was performed through a nerve conduction study using an electromyograph.
Results: 10 patients were studied, both sexes with a mean aged of 25, 40% were woman, 60% were man. 60% had a peripheral nerve injury. 40% was carpal tunnel syndrome, 10 % Guyon´s canal syndrome, 10% radial nerve syndrome.
Conclusion: 60% of athletes suffered a peripheral nerve injury, the injury more frequently seen was carpal tunnel syndrome. Peripheral nerve injuries in sports are rare, so it is important to study for early diagnosis, and early rehabilitation.
