Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology Review Brachial Plexus Injuries in Sport Medicine: Clinical Evaluation, Diagnostic Approaches, Treatment Options, and Rehabilitative Interventions Immacolata Belviso 1, Stefano Palermi 1, Anna Maria Sacco 1, Veronica Romano 1, Bruno Corrado 1 , Marcello Zappia 2,3 and Felice Sirico 1,* 1 Department of Public Health, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80131 Naples, Italy;
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[email protected]; Tel.: +39-081-746-3508 Received: 1 March 2020; Accepted: 26 March 2020; Published: 30 March 2020 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.