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Objectives: The influence of regular and intense practice of an asymmetric sport such as tennis on nerves in the elbow region was examined. Methods: The study included 21 male elite tennis players with a mean (SD) age of 27.5 (1.7) years and 21 male non-active controls aged 26.4 (1.9) years. Anthropometric measurements (height, weight, limb length, and perimeters of arm and forearm) were determined for each subject, and range of motion assessment and radiographic examination carried out. Standard nerve conduction techniques using constant measured distances were applied to evaluate the median, ulnar, and radial nerves in the dominant and non-dominant limb of each individual. Results: The sensory and motor conduction velocities of the radial nerve and the sensory conduction velocity of the ulnar nerve were significantly delayed in the dominant arms of tennis players compared with their non-dominant arms and normal subjects. There were no statistical differences in the latencies, conduction velocities, or amplitudes of the median motor and sensory nerves between controls and tennis players in either the dominant or non-dominant arms. However, the range of motion of the upper extremity was significantly increased in tennis players when compared with control subjects. Tennis players were taller and heavier than control subjects and their dominant upper limb lengths were longer, and arm and forearm circumferences greater, than those of the control subjects. Conclusions: Many of the asymptomatic tennis players with abnormal nerve conduction tests in the present study may have presymptomatic or asymptomatic neuropathy similar to subclinical entrapment nerve neuropathy.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of intraoperative superior hypogastric plexus (SHP) blocks on postoperative pain management in abdominal hysterectomies. Materials and Methods: A total of 78 female American Society of Anesthesiologists grade I or II patients who underwent elective total abdominal hysterectomy for benign reasons were assessed for eligibility. After exclusion of patients who did not fulfill the inclusion criteria, 60 patients were evaluated in 2 groups: patients who had intraoperative SHP block (SHP; n=30), and patients who did not have intraoperative SHP block (No-SHP; n=30). Results: There was no statistically significant difference between the 2 groups in demographic attributes, surgical duration, and length of hospital stay. Opioid requirements in both the postanesthesia care unit and gynecology ward, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug requirements in the ward were statistically significantly higher in the No-SHP group (P<0.05). Rescue analgesic times were found to be significantly longer in the SHP group (627±352.9 min; P<0.05). All visual analogue scale score assessments were found to be statistically significantly lower in the SHP group (P<0.05). No complications related to the SHP blocks were observed. Conclusions: Intraoperative SHP blocks in abdominal hysterectomies appear to be promising methods for acute postoperative pain management as part of a multimodal analgesia regimen. Although single SHP blocks provide adequate pain relief and reduce analgesic consumption, these blocks might have better results when used together with somatic nerve blocks, including abdominal wall blocks or wound site infiltrations.

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Ulnar neuropathy at the elbow is a common disorder seen in the throwing athlete. The purpose of our study was to determine whether asymptomatic physically active volleyball players and non-actives demonstrate distinct differences in nerve conduction of the ulnar nerve at the elbow. Nerve conduction studies were performed on both arms of 24 male volleyball players and 24 male non-actives. Nerve conduction velocity at the above to below elbow segment of the ulnar motor nerve were slower in the volleyball players compared with controls and their non-dominant arms. There were no statistical differences in latencies and conduction velocity of the ulnar nerve on the forearm, both in volleyball players and in the controls. In the evoked responses of the ulnar nerve, the amplitude was the same as corresponding normal values in both sensory nerve and muscle action potentials. We conclude that abnormal ulnar (motor) nerve conduction at the elbow segment may suggest a subclinical entrapment neuropathy as a result of strenuous elbow movements in volleyball players.