Peripheral nerve injuries of the upper extremity are rarely reported; however, they can be most debilitating to an athlete. An increasing number of recreational and professional athletes has similarly seen an increase in the number of injuries requiring evaluation by the orthopedist.<sup>44 Lorei M.P., Hershman E.B. Peripheral nerve injuries in athletes Sports Med 1993 ;  16 : 130-147  [cross-ref]

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Peripheral nerves are prone to various types of injury in sport owing to their superficial location. Most commonly, direct blows or repetitive microtrauma are implicated as a mechanism of injury. These injuries can present with a constellation of sensory or motor syndromes including pain, numbness, or weakness.

The true incidence of these injuries is unknown; however, in 1983, Hirasawa and Sakakida<sup>33 Hirasawa Y., Sakakida K. Sport and peripheral nerve injury Am J Sports Med 1983 ;  11 : 420-426  [cross-ref]

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti</sup> reported on 66 cases in athletes out of 1167 peripheral nerve injuries over an 18-year period. Overall, 5.7% of their peripheral nerve injuries were related to sports, and 74% of these were in the upper extremity. Sports, such as gymnastics, mountain climbing, and baseball, were commonly involved.<sup>33 Hirasawa Y., Sakakida K. Sport and peripheral nerve injury Am J Sports Med 1983 ;  11 : 420-426  [cross-ref]

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This review presents the most common neurovascular injuries of the forearm, wrist, and hand with respect to classification, pathomechanics, diagnosis, and treatment. It is hoped that through review of this article, the armementarium of the orthopedist will be broadened and allowed for accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment of these injuries.