ABSTRACT
Long-term repetitive microtrauma can lead to nerve entrapment syndromes, which is the reason they are included among overuse injuries. Contemporary medical literature includes numerous reports on various nerve entrapment syndromes. Acute trauma and especially long-term repetitive microtrauma have been indicated as possible instigating agents.12,14,30,40,71,72,110,134,135,144 Certain sports or physical activities that have been mentioned lead to specific nerve entrapment syndromes, e.g., cyclist’s palsy and bowler’s thumb. Nerve entrapment syndromes in athletes are not as rare as they were once considered to be. It is also evident that when athletes have pain, the possibility of nerve entrapment syndromes must always be considered. Diagnosis relies on a detailed history and physical examination with modern diagnostic equipment. In most cases, nonoperative treatment is sufficient, and surgery is therefore seldom recommended. The purpose of this chapter is to present currently available information about nerve entrapment syndromes in athletes.
