Cervical and Upper Limb Peripheral Nerve Injuries in Adults: Electrodiagnostic Studies and Symptoms

Background: Peripheral nerve injury (PNI), due to upper extremity and cervical trauma can impair hand function, as well as affect quality of life. Objectives: In this study we aimed to evaluate clinical symptoms and electrodiagnostic findings in traumatic upper extremity PNI. Methods: A total of ۱۰۶ traumatic patients with upper extremity peripheral nerve injuries were recruited and completed a physical examination. In addition, an electrodiagnostic study was performed to investigate detailed pattern of nerve lesions. Results: Of ۱۰۶ patients, ۸۸ were males with a mean age of ۳۶.۶ ± ۱۴.۹۱. Thirty-three patients had an involvement in the forearm area and ۲۰ of them had an injury of the shoulder girdle. Twenty-one had ulnar nerve injury, ۸ had median, and ۸ had radial nerve involvement. Furthermore, the ulnar nerve was the most common nerve injury among other nerve involvements. Only ۱۰ patients had plexopathy and ۱۰ other had radiculopathy. Conclusions: Ulnar nerve lesions were highly prevalent in upper limb trauma followed with brachial plexopathy and radiculopathy. The forearm and shoulder girdle are more susceptible to nerve injury.