Microvascular Damage in Athletes' Hand Fingers Associated with Repetitive Stress: Narrative Review

Abstract

Digital ischemia is the most common arterial condition affecting the upper limbs in athletes (2). It presents clinically as coldness, pallor, and pain in the fingers, primarily the index and middle fingers, associated with inflammation, repetitive impacts, or closed trauma (3). Early detection of this condition is crucial to prevent thromboembolic events, functional deterioration, and irreversible tissue necrosis (4). This narrative literature review was conducted through a systematic search in PubMed, identifying 12 relevant articles. Additionally, cross-referencing and snowball strategies were applied to ensure comprehensive bibliographic coverage. 

The main objective is to establish the prevalence of this condition according to sport discipline, to explore the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms, and to describe current diagnostic methods and therapeutic strategies. This topic is particularly relevant given the growing number of individuals engaging in sports activities, both recreationally and competitively, which increases the risk of vascular pathologies in the hand.