Lower extremity nerve entrapments in athletes.

Area of Science:

• Sports Medicine
• Neurology
• Orthopedics

Background:

• Nerve entrapments are a common cause of lower extremity pain in athletes.
• Symptoms include sensory changes (anesthesia, paresthesias, dysesthesias) and motor weakness within a peripheral nerve's distribution.

Purpose of the Study:

• To discuss the diagnosis and treatment of common lower extremity nerve entrapments in athletes.
• To emphasize the importance of a high index of suspicion for timely diagnosis and management.

Main Methods:

• Clinical presentation: anesthesia, dysesthesias, paresthesias, weakness.
• Physical examination: abnormal neurologic findings, positive provocative tests, positive Tinel sign.
• Diagnostic aids: electrodiagnostic studies, radiography, MRI, sonography.

Main Results:

• Nerve entrapments present with specific neurological symptoms and signs.
• A combination of clinical examination and imaging modalities aids diagnosis.
• Conservative treatment is the initial approach, with surgery reserved for refractory cases.

Conclusions:

• Prompt identification of lower extremity nerve entrapments in athletes is crucial.
• Appropriate management, guided by suspicion and diagnostic tools, leads to better patient outcomes.
• This article provides a comprehensive overview for clinicians managing these athletic injuries.