• What
are Brachial Plexus Injuries?
• Is there any treatment?
• What is the prognosis?
• What research is being done?
• Organizations
What are Brachial Plexus Injuries?
The brachial plexus is a network of nerves that
conducts signals from the spine to the shoulder, arm, and hand. Brachial plexus
injuries are caused by damage to those nerves. Symptoms may include a limp or
paralyzed arm, lack of muscle control in the arm, hand, or wrist, and lack of
feeling or sensation in the arm or hand. Although injuries can occur at any
time, many brachial plexus injuries happen during birth: the baby's shoulders
may become impacted during the birth process causing the brachial plexus nerves
to stretch or tear. There are four types of brachial plexus injuries: avulsion,
the most severe type, in which the nerve is torn from the spine; rupture, in
which the nerve is torn but not at the spinal attachment; neuroma, in which the
nerve has tried to heal itself but scar tissue has grown around the injury,
putting pressure on the injured nerve and preventing the nerve from conducting
signals to the muscles; and neuropraxia or stretch, in which the nerve has been
damaged but not torn. Neuropraxia is the most common type of brachial plexus
injury.
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Is there any treatment?
Some brachial plexus injuries may heal without
treatment. Many children improve or recover by 3 to 4 months of age. Treatment
for brachial plexus injuries includes occupational or physical therapy and, in
some cases, surgery.
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What is the prognosis?
The site and type of brachial plexus injury
determine the prognosis. For avulsion and rupture injuries there is no potential
for recovery unless surgical reconnection is made in a timely manner. For
neuroma and neuropraxia injuries the potential for recovery varies. Most
patients with neuropraxia injuries recover spontaneously with a 90-100% return
of function.
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What research is being done?
The NINDS conducts and supports research on
injuries to organs and networks within the nervous system, such as the brachial
plexus. Much of this research is aimed at finding ways to prevent and treat
these disorders.
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