Insights Into the Epidemiology of Peripheral Nerve Injuries in the United States: Systematic Review

Background: Peripheral nerve injuries (PNI) range from mild neurapraxia to severe transection, leading to significant morbidity. Despite their impact, the societal implications of PNI in the United States are not well understood. This study aims to systematically review the literature on PNI epidemiology in the United States. We hypothesize that this review will reveal significant gaps in the understanding of PNI incidence, demographics, and economic impact. Methods: Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, we queried the literature for studies on PNI that reported at least one of the following: incidence rates, demographics, affected nerve distribution, injury mechanisms, surgical intervention rates, and associated direct costs. Exclusion criteria included non-English publications, abstracts, conference proceedings, reviews, or editorials, studies published before 2000, non-US studies, or studies focusing solely on digital nerves or plexus injuries. Results: Fifteen studies met the inclusion criteria. Data indicate a higher incidence of upper extremity nerve injuries compared with lower extremity injuries. The literature lacks comprehensive reporting on surgical intervention rates, with no recent data since 2013. There is a notable absence of nationwide epidemiological data on PNI mechanisms and recent cost data, with most information over a decade old and primarily focused on inpatient costs, neglecting outpatient visits, physical therapy, and medication expenses. Conclusion: The epidemiological data on PNI are limited and outdated, highlighting the need for further research. Future studies should focus on recent trends in PNI incidence, injury mechanisms, and financial burden, including comprehensive reporting on surgical interventions, to inform strategies aimed at improving patient outcomes and health care resource allocation.