Brachial Plexus Injuries in Sport Medicine: Clinical Evaluation, Diagnostic Approaches, Treatment Options, and Rehabilitative Interventions

Abstract

The brachial plexus represents a complex anatomical structure in the upper limb. This “network” of peripheral nerves permits the rearrangement of motor efferent fibers, coming from different spinal nerves, in several terminal branches directed to upper limb muscles. Moreover, afferent information coming from different cutaneous regions in upper limb are sorted in different spinal nerves through the brachial plexus. Severe brachial plexus injuries are a rare clinical condition in the general population and in sport medicine, but with dramatic consequences on the motor and sensory functions of the upper limb. In some sports, like martial arts, milder injuries of the brachial plexus can occur, with transient symptoms and with a full recovery. Clinical evaluation represents the cornerstone in the assessment of the athletes with brachial plexus injuries. Electrodiagnostic studies and imaging techniques, like magnetic resonance and high-frequency ultrasound, could be useful to localize the lesion and to define an appropriate treatment and a functional prognosis. Several conservative and surgical techniques could be applied, and multidisciplinary rehabilitative programs could be performed to guide the athlete toward the recovery of the highest functional level, according to the type of injury.

Evaluation of the Efficiency of Supinator Tendon Transfer to Wrist Extensor in Brachial Plexus Injuries at C7-T1, A Case Study Based on OpenSIM Modelling Approach

“…Brachial plexus injuries (BPI) occur mostly due to tra c road accident. Various treatment approaches have been used in this group of the subjects to restore the performance of the upper limb musculatures depends on level of injury [10]. Those with BPI at C7-T1 miss their wrist exion and extension.…”

“…Those with lesion at levels C7-T1 have full range of motion in elbow and shoulder joints. However, the strength of the muscles surrounding these joints markedly reduces compared to normal side [1,6,10]. It has been reported that elbow exion and extension strength decreased by 39% and 75%, respectively.…”

“…Depends on the type and severity of injuries, those with BPI miss their abilities to do their daily activities and may have weakness or paralysis of hand, arm and shoulder musculatures [6,7]. Various methods of treatment have been used to restore the abilities of the subjects including conservative treatment and surgery [8][9][10]. Although those with BPI achieve reasonable function with use of assistive devices, robotic rehabilitation and physical therapy, most of them require especial surgeries to enhance their upper limb function [6].…”

Respiratory failure due to diaphragm paralysis after brachial plexus injury diagnosed by point-of-care ultrasound

“…1 Traumatic cases, especially those involving cervical roots avulsions, tend to cause severe neurological paralysis and frequently require surgery instead of conservative treatment among brachial plexus injuries. 2 Brachial plexus injuries present with a variety of symptoms due to C5-Th1 nerve injury, but complications of diaphragm paralysis have rarely been reported.…”

A Visualization Template for the Graphical Representation of Sport Injury Antecedents and Consequences Models and Data

“…For example, there are approximately 6 to 8 million sport- and recreation-related injuries documented in Europe [ 1 ] and the United States [ 2 ] each year. Among the vast array of injuries experienced by athletes are tendinopathies [ 3 , 4 ] and injuries to muscles [ 5 ], nerves [ 6 ], bones, ligaments, and cartilage [ 7 ]. Because of the adverse physical, psychological, social, and economic effects of sport injury [ 8 , 9 , 10 ], the prediction, prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of sport injuries and their sequelae have been subjected to extensive scientific inquiry.…”