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Objectively Assessing Sports Concussion Utilizing Visual Evoked Potentials
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"Stingers" in adolescent athletes
Douglas B Kasow1, Walton W Curl
1Department of Orthopaedics, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, Georgia, USA.
Instructional Course Lectures
|September 9, 2006
Summary
Brachial plexus injuries, or "stingers," affect 30-50% of football players. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are crucial for athletes to recover fully and return to play safely.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Neurology
- Orthopedic Surgery
Background:
- Brachial plexus injuries, commonly known as "stingers" or "burners," are frequent in contact sports athletes.
- These injuries affect 30-50% of football players during their careers, causing tingling in the upper extremity.
- Understanding and managing these injuries is vital for athlete care and return to play.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a comprehensive overview of brachial plexus injuries in athletes.
- To emphasize the importance of prompt recognition, diagnosis, and treatment.
- To discuss injury mechanisms, classification, and management strategies for optimal athlete outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Review of common injury mechanisms: traction, compression, and hyperextension with compression.
- Clinical classification based on symptomatology and symptom resolution patterns (neurapraxia, neurapraxia/axonotmesis, neurotmesis).
- Discussion of recovery criteria and the role of protective equipment and education.
Main Results:
- Most brachial plexus injuries in athletes are either neurapraxia or neurapraxia/axonotmesis.
- Complete recovery and return to play are typical once athletes are asymptomatic with restored function.
- Protective equipment and athlete education are key preventative and management strategies.
Conclusions:
- Effective management of brachial plexus injuries requires thorough knowledge, prompt diagnosis, and appropriate treatment.
- Athletes can achieve full recovery and return to sport with proper care.
- Preventative measures, including protective gear and education, play a significant role in reducing injury incidence and severity.
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