SynthesisInternational orthopaedics2025
Return to play and outcomes of surgically treated upper limb nerve entrapment in athletes: a systematic review.
Synthesis in International orthopaedics, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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Who cites it
3 citing papers in PubMed.
- Proximal Hamstring-Related Sciatic Nerve Entrapment Presenting as Recurrent Hamstring Strain in a Professional Footballer: A Case Report.Journal of orthopaedic case reports · 2026Article
- The neurogenic elbow disharmony loop: a pathophysiologic model for chronic elbow pain supported by one hundred and fifty seven radial tunnel decompressions.International orthopaedics · 2026Article
- Short-term symptom aggravation after cubital tunnel decompression: Clinical features and mechanistic insights from a retrospective cohort study.Neurosurgical review · 2026Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
5 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
purposeAthletes face a higher risk of upper limb nerve entrapment due to repetitive stress, trauma, and biomechanics. Diagnosis is challenging, and delayed treatment can impair performance. When conservative care fails, surgery may be needed to restore function and enable return to play (RTP).
methodsThis systematic review adhered to PRISMA guidelines and evaluated surgical outcomes, RTP rates, and complications in athletes with upper limb nerve entrapment. A comprehensive search was conducted using MeSH terms and keywords for surgical interventions, nerve entrapment syndromes, and sports. Eligible studies included case series, cohort studies, and comparative studies that reported postoperative outcomes in athletes. Data extraction included nerve involvement, surgical techniques, clinical outcomes, and RTP rates.
resultsThirty-one studies, comprising 1,297 athletes across 23 sports, were included. The most common nerve entrapments involved the ulnar nerve (50.1%), brachial plexus (39.2%), and suprascapular nerve (9.5%). Surgical interventions included ulnar nerve decompression/transposition, first rib resection with scalenectomy for thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS), and suprascapular nerve decompression. RTP rates ranged from 62 to 100%, with an average of 87%. Suprascapular nerve decompression had the highest RTP success (100%), while TOS demonstrated greater variability (62.5-97%). Functional improvements included pain reduction, increased grip strength, and enhanced patient-reported outcomes. The overall complication rate was low, but TOS procedures had the highest reoperation rates (3.8-27%).
conclusionSurgical treatment of upper limb nerve entrapment in athletes yields high RTP rates and functional recovery. Ulnar and suprascapular nerve decompressions show consistent success, while TOS surgery outcomes vary.
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Identifiers
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Registered trials
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