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Brachial plexus injury occurs when the nerves that travel
from the neck down to the arm has been injured. The injury
can occur because of many accidents, though a brachial
plexus injury is most often related to involvement in contact
sports and a birth injury. Responsible for the network
of nerves that manages signals from the spine to the shoulder,
arm, and hand, a brachial plexus injury can have serious
effects.
Depending on the severity of the brachial plexus injury,
there may be a lack of muscle control and/or feeling in
the arm and hand. Recovery is determined by the extent
of damage suffered. In some instances, brachial plexus
injuries may heal on its' own and without treatment. When
the brachial plexus injury has been suffered at birth,
many children will show signs of improvement within a few
months.
Common symptoms of a brachial plexus injury can include
a limp or paralyzed arm, as well as intense pain from the
neck down to the arm on the affected side. When treatment
can help improve the condition of the brachial plexus injury,
a doctor may incorporate occupational therapy, physical
therapy, and/or surgery. Utilizing rest and ice can help
manage the pain associated to a brachial plexus injury,
in addition to a pain reliever.
When an avulsion or rupture injuries has occurred, there
is often little that can be done unless a surgical reconnection
takes place in very timely manner. An avulsion is the most
serious brachial plexus injury suffered which will result
in the nerve being torn from the spine. A rupture also
involves the nerve being torn but is not suffered at the
spinal attachment. In the most minor brachial plexus injury
instance, called neuropraxia, most of the patients will
recover with nearly a 90-100% return of function. Thankfully,
neuropraxia is the most common type of brachial plexus
injury and involves a damaged, but not torn, nerve.
By five months of age, a child with a brachial plexus
injury may undergo surgery if it has not yet healed on
its' own. The goal of the surgical procedure is to improve
arm functioning. After a child turns one year of age, the
chances for an optimum outcome from the brachial plexus
surgery becomes more diminished.
Advances in obstetrical care have been able to significantly
decrease the incidence of suffering a brachial plexus injury
at birth. The U.S. has advanced and more reliable medical
care, so brachial plexus injuries occur on the low end of
global incidence. For more information on a brachial plexus
injury, please contact
us.
Additional Resources for brachial plexus injury: Treatment of Brachial Plexus Injuries, Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fla.
Miami Children's Hospital - Rated Best Pediatric Hospital
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