Brachial Plexus Injury

brachial plexus injury

- Most often a result of an accident or injury
o Over stretching, compression, or tear to nerves
- Contact sports
- Birth Injury
- Traumatic accident
- Tumor or radiation

o Shockurning feeling shooting down arm
o Numbness/weakness in arm
o Can last seconds to days

o Weakness or lack of function in shoulder/arm/hand
o Lack of movement or feeling in shoulder/arm/hand
o Severe pain

- X-ray
- EMG: nerve conduction
- MRI
- CT scan

- Less damaged
o May heal on its own with rest
- Severe damage
o May require surgical repair (within 6 months of injury)
o May never recover

- Surgical repair should occur within 6 months of injury
- pain management
- therapy

o Neuolysis
o Nerve graft
o Nerve transfer
o Muscle transfer

- Weakness and numbness in affected arm
- Pain
- Age and injury dependent

joint protection, ROM limitations, weight limitations

nerve damage

further injury