The brachial plexus is a network of nerves in the shoulder. This network is connected by five major nerves in each arm. The brachial plexus is responsible for sending signals from the spinal cord to the shoulder, hand, and arm. These nerves carry signals from your spinal cord that allow your wrists, hands, and arm to move. This network also includes the sensory skin nerves, which help to feel sensations, including temperature.
A brachial plexus injury occurs due to compression or stretching of this nerve network. In some severe cases, the nerves may get ripped apart from the spinal cord. There may be different causes of the injuries, but some of them can heal on their own. Babies may have sustained brachial plexus during birth.
Some minor brachial plexus injuries are also known as burners, or stingers, which can occur during physical activity or any sport.
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What are the Symptoms of Brachial Plexus Injury?
The signs and symptoms depend on the injury’s location and severity. The following section can help you find what symptoms you experience when you have minor or severe injuries:
Minor Brachial Plexus Injury
Less severe damage may cause nerves compressed or stretched. It may occur during sports or any physical activity. You may experience the following symptoms, such as:
- Numbness in the arm
- Weakness
- An electric shock-like feeling
- A burning sensation going down the arm
You may experience these symptoms for once or longer. In some cases, they may appear for a few days.
Severe Injuries
Dr. Muhammad Khalid who is one of the top orthopedic surgeons in Pakistan says that injuries often lead to severe symptoms of the brachial plexus. The nerve root may get ripped from the spinal cord, which may need surgery to restore function.
Such severe injuries may cause signs and symptoms such as:
- Severe pain
- Weakness while using arms, shoulders, or hand
- Lack of movement in the arm, hand, or shoulder
What are the Causes of Brachial Plexus Injury?
If we discuss common causes of a brachial plexus, it may be due to trauma, including
- Penetrating wounds, such as knife
- Direct or blunt blows
- Falls
- Accidents, especially on motorbikes
Nerve rupture may also occur due to some reasons, like falls. It may happen as secondary to another injury, such as a spine fracture, spinal cord injury, arm or shoulder fracture, rib fracture, etc.
Sometimes, difficult births can lead to sustaining brachial plexus injuries. High birth weight or prolonged labor also cause these types of injuries. Cancer treatments or tumors may also put pressure on the brachial plexus.
How to Diagnose Brachial Plexus Injury?
A brachial plexus injury can be diagnosed by the symptoms which appear. Your doctor may conduct a physical examination to find the severity of the injury. Sometimes, tests need to perform to diagnose the brachial plexus injury, including:
MRI
Magnetic resonance imaging MRI performs to produce detailed views of the body in multiple dimensions. It uses a powerful magnetic field and radio waves. This test helps to assess the artery’s status.
Nerve Conduction Studies
EMG also contains this test which measures conduction speed in the nerve when a small current passes through the nerve. It shows how the nerve is functioning.
X-ray
An X-ray can help to find the injuries associated with other injuries. This may include testing for the neck and shoulder.
Computerized Tomography Myelography
It involves a series of X-rays to get cross-sectional images of the body. Your doctor may ask for this test when there is no clear result shown from the MRI.
Electromyography (EMG)
This test helps to evaluate the electrical activity of the muscles while contraction or they are at rest. Electrodes are inserted by using a needle through the skin into a variety of muscles.
What are the Treatments for Brachial Plexus Injury?
There are different factors for the treatment of brachial plexus injury, including:
- The severity of the injury
- The length of time since the injury occurred
- The type of the injury
People who have stretched nerves may need no such treatment as they can heal on their own. In some cases, only physical therapies are required that can help to prevent joint stiffness and maintain motion. It may take six months to perform surgery for repairing brachial plexus nerves.
It depends on the type of injury that which kind of surgery you need:
Nerve Repair
Torn edges of a ruptured nerve need reconnection which may need nerve repair surgery.
Nerve Graft
As a graft, a surgeon uses a healthy nerve from another part of the body to connect and support the ruptured nerve ends. It helps them to grow together.
Tendon and Muscle Transfer
Experts from Maroof International Hospital say that people with severe injury may need reconstruction of the affected muscle or tendon. It may need tendon and muscle transfer surgery to restore the function of the affected muscle.
What are the Risk Factors?
People who play sports or ride bikes should be careful as these are the most common risk factors involved in the brachial plexus. A person may experience brachial plexus injuries while playing football or wrestling.
What are the Complications of Brachial Plexus Injuries?
If the injury is minor, it may get recovered on its own or may take a few days. But some severe cases may lead to permanent damage or need surgery to restore the function of the affected nerve or muscle. Some people may experience some of the effects for a long time, such as permanent disability, muscle atrophy, pain, numbness, stiff joints, etc.
Consult the best orthopedic surgeons if you experience any of the symptoms of brachial plexus injury!
