Unilateral cervical nerve injuries: brachial plexopathies.

Area of Science:

• Sports Medicine
• Neurology
• Orthopedics

Background:

• Brachial plexus injuries are common in athletes, presenting as transient burning pain and weakness.
• These injuries result from peripheral nerve damage due to compression or traction.
• Lack of evidence-based guidelines complicates evaluation and return-to-play decisions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review brachial plexus anatomy and injury mechanisms in sports.
• To outline on-field assessment and management strategies for athletes.
• To discuss the role of imaging and protective equipment.

Main Methods:

• Review of brachial plexus anatomy and common sports-related injury mechanisms.
• Discussion of on-field assessment protocols, including neurological evaluation.
• Analysis of management strategies, including physical therapy and equipment considerations.

Main Results:

• Symptoms include transient burning pain and weakness, with potential need for electromyography in persistent cases.
• On-field assessment focuses on ruling out serious injuries and evaluating for return to play based on symptom resolution, range of motion, and strength.
• Management involves improving neck range of motion and strength, assessing sport-specific technique, and considering protective equipment.

Conclusions:

• Medical personnel must understand brachial plexus anatomy and injury mechanisms.
• Return-to-play decisions require careful evaluation due to a lack of definitive guidelines.
• Preventive measures include optimizing neck strength and sport technique, and enhancing protective gear.