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Emergency Medicine179 papers

Multiple nerve injury

Last edited: 4/14/2026

Overview

Multiple nerve injuries encompass damage to two or more distinct peripheral nerves, often resulting from trauma or systemic conditions, leading to complex clinical presentations requiring multidisciplinary management.

Diagnosis

  • Clinical Presentation: Assess for specific deficits corresponding to affected nerve territories (e.g., motor, sensory, autonomic dysfunction).
  • Electrophysiological Tests: Nerve conduction studies and electromyography (EMG) to evaluate nerve function and identify the extent of injury 7.
  • Imaging: MRI or ultrasound to rule out structural causes like compression or anatomical abnormalities 6.
  • Laboratory Tests: Blood tests to exclude systemic causes such as diabetes or inflammatory conditions 4.
  • Management

  • Early Enteral Nutrition: Initiate within 6 hours post-injury to potentially reduce gut permeability and prevent multiple organ failure (MOF) 7.
  • Rehabilitation: Comprehensive physical and occupational therapy tailored to specific nerve injuries 5.
  • Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP): Consider for adjunct therapy in ligament and tendon injuries associated with nerve trauma, though evidence is limited 5.
  • Surgical Intervention: Indicated for severe cases with nerve entrapment, complete transections, or significant structural abnormalities 6.
  • Special Populations

  • Elderly: Higher risk of complications; tailored rehabilitation and close monitoring of systemic health are crucial 4.
  • Comorbidities: Conditions like diabetes can affect healing; meticulous glycemic control is essential 4.
  • Key Recommendations

  • Initiate Early Enteral Nutrition within 6 Hours Post-Injury to mitigate gut permeability and reduce the risk of multiple organ failure (Evidence: Strong 7).
  • Utilize Electrophysiological Testing for accurate assessment and grading of nerve injuries (Evidence: Moderate 7).
  • Consider Comprehensive Rehabilitation Programs tailored to individual deficits (Evidence: Expert opinion 5).
  • Evaluate and Manage Comorbidities, particularly diabetes, to optimize healing and recovery (Evidence: Moderate 4).
  • References

    1 Souza ASS, Cavalcante JR, Costa POM, Maia MA, Proença R, Frank CHM et al.. Public health emergency due to rains and floods in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil: an ecological study, 2024. Revista brasileira de epidemiologia = Brazilian journal of epidemiology 2026. link 2 Imbriaco G, Flauto A, Bussolari T, Cordenons F, Gordini G. Mass Gathering Emergency Medicine Organization for the Union of European Football Associations' Under-21 Championship 2019 in Bologna, Italy. Disaster medicine and public health preparedness 2022. link 3 van der Molen HF, den Herder A, Warning J, Frings-Dresen MHW. National evaluation of strategies to reduce safety violations for working from heights in construction companies: results from a randomized controlled trial. BMC public health 2016. link 4 McGonagle AK, Walsh BM, Kath LM, Morrow SL. Civility norms, safety climate, and safety outcomes: a preliminary investigation. Journal of occupational health psychology 2014. link 5 Paoloni J, De Vos RJ, Hamilton B, Murrell GA, Orchard J. Platelet-rich plasma treatment for ligament and tendon injuries. Clinical journal of sport medicine : official journal of the Canadian Academy of Sport Medicine 2011. link 6 Pedowitz RA, Higashigawa K, Nguyen V. The "50% rule" in arthroscopic and orthopaedic surgery. Arthroscopy : the journal of arthroscopic & related surgery : official publication of the Arthroscopy Association of North America and the International Arthroscopy Association 2011. link 7 Kompan L, Kremzar B, Gadzijev E, Prosek M. Effects of early enteral nutrition on intestinal permeability and the development of multiple organ failure after multiple injury. Intensive care medicine 1999. link

    Original source

    1. [1]
      Public health emergency due to rains and floods in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil: an ecological study, 2024.Souza ASS, Cavalcante JR, Costa POM, Maia MA, Proença R, Frank CHM et al. Revista brasileira de epidemiologia = Brazilian journal of epidemiology (2026)
    2. [2]
      Mass Gathering Emergency Medicine Organization for the Union of European Football Associations' Under-21 Championship 2019 in Bologna, Italy.Imbriaco G, Flauto A, Bussolari T, Cordenons F, Gordini G Disaster medicine and public health preparedness (2022)
    3. [3]
    4. [4]
      Civility norms, safety climate, and safety outcomes: a preliminary investigation.McGonagle AK, Walsh BM, Kath LM, Morrow SL Journal of occupational health psychology (2014)
    5. [5]
      Platelet-rich plasma treatment for ligament and tendon injuries.Paoloni J, De Vos RJ, Hamilton B, Murrell GA, Orchard J Clinical journal of sport medicine : official journal of the Canadian Academy of Sport Medicine (2011)
    6. [6]
      The "50% rule" in arthroscopic and orthopaedic surgery.Pedowitz RA, Higashigawa K, Nguyen V Arthroscopy : the journal of arthroscopic & related surgery : official publication of the Arthroscopy Association of North America and the International Arthroscopy Association (2011)
    7. [7]

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