Nerve and Vascular Injuries in Sports Medicine

Abstract

While peripheral nerve and vascular injuries may be relatively uncommon in the athlete, they can potentially have significant ramifications on an athlete’s career or activities outside of sport. In Nerve and Vascular Injuries in Sports Medicine, the chiropractic practitioner is provided with an indepth understanding of peripheral nerve and vascular anatomy and physiology directing the clinician to appropriate diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of these injuries. The 290 page text is divided into three sections. The first third of the text provides basic knowledge of neurovascular anatomy and pathophysiology and discusses appropriate evaluation of athletes with neurovascular complaints. The remainder of the text is devoted to regionspecific neurovascular injuries (separated into upper and lower limb sections) with specific chapters on thoracic outlet syndrome, stingers, and lumbar radiculopathy The text as a whole is a worthwhile read. The chapters are well written and illustrated, organized, concise, and exceptionally referenced. From the perspective of a manual therapist however, this text is not without limitations and it is clearly targeted to the sports medicine doctor. Unfortunately while it is repeatedly cited throughout the text that neurovascular injuries are often amenable to conservative care, management strategies of the manual therapist such as muscle release techniques, nerve gliding exercises, joint manipulation and rehabilitation are discussed at the most basic level, if at all. Despite its limitations I would recommend the text to chiropractic sports practitioners as it provides a thorough, yet practical approach to the diagnosis of neurovascular injuries. The text is a helpful resource and would complement any sports medicine library.