Nonoperative and Operative Management of Sports-Related Peripheral Nerve Injury
Injuries to the peripheral nervous system can occur during both recreational and competitive sports. The management of sports-related peripheral nerve injuries follows our understanding and treatment of other traumatic peripheral nerve injury. Nonoperative management is warranted for patients who show improvement of function on repeat serial neurological examinations and electrodiagnostic studies. Sports-related injuries that do not show evidence of regeneration on physical examination and/or electrodiagnostic studies should be considered for surgical intervention. Knowledge of types of nerve injuries and “the rule of 3’s + 1” helps guide timing of surgery. Overall, the goal of surgical intervention following sports-related nerve injuries is to improve function and hopefully to return athletes to sport.
