[Peripheral nerve injuries - early diagnosis and appropriate treatment is crucial].

Ballistic injuries to upper and lower limbs in local and international conflicts are common, where particularly peripheral nerve injuries should be highlighted. Handling of injured and destroyed tissues requires a fast and competent multidisciplinary management of the patient and depends on the extent and character of the injuries. Early experiences from conflicts have shown that peripheral nerve injuries are difficult to treat, often resulting in extensive permanent loss of function, risk for pain problems and life-long reduced quality of life. Early diagnosis, sometimes based on »active surveillance« of the nerve injury, initiation of appropriate surgical techniques from the panel of conventional and novel methods, and pharmacological treatment of nerve injuries are keystones and can improve the situation for the affected patient, where timing of treatment is crucial.