Brachial nerve plexus injury
The brachial plexus is a network of nerves that transmit signals from the spinal cord to the shoulder, hand, and wrist. A plexus injury occurs by stretching, compressing, or in severe cases, tearing the nerves from the spinal cord
Military ligament injuries are common in contact sports such as American football and rugby. Occasionally, plexus injury occurs in newborns due to birth trauma Other conditions, such as inflammation or tumors, can also damage the brachial plexus
The most severe cases of brachial plexus injuries are related to car accidents In such cases, there is a risk that the hand will remain paralyzed, with loss of function and sensitivity Surgery, such as nerve grafting, muscle grafting, sometimes helps a person regain hand function
Damage to the upper extremity nerves, which are part of the plexus, occurs when the shoulder bends down and the neck is extended, stretched, and moved in the opposite direction. Damage to the lower nerves occurs when the limb is lifted above the head It is possible to get an injury at different times:
- Contact sports Rugby players often suffer from hamstring injuries as the nerves are stretched during collisions with other players.
- Difficult childbirth Newborns may have plexus injuries due to trauma when the fetus is breech or labor is prolonged. If the newborn's shoulders are compressed during delivery, the brachial plexus is damaged Most often the upper nerves are damaged, this paralysis is also called Erb's paralysis Total damage to the plexus occurs with damage to the upper and lower nerves
- trauma Several forms of trauma (car accident, fall, gunshot wound) may be the cause of plexus injury.
- Inflammation The inflammatory process damages the brachial plexus A rare condition called Person-Turner syndrome (brachial plexus inflammation) causes inflammation without trauma and is complicated by paralysis of the hand muscles.
- Tumors A benign or malignant tumor may grow near the plexus, burn the nerves, or spread to the nerves, thereby damaging the plexus.
- Radiation therapy Radiation may cause plexus damage
Signs and symptoms vary greatly depending on the severity and location of the injury Mostly only one limb is damaged
Less serious injuries Minor injuries are common in contact sports such as rugby or wrestling At this time, the plexus is compressed or stretched Symptoms and signs include:
- a feeling of electric shock or burning that spreads from the shoulder to the hand
- numbness or weakness in the hand
- These symptoms usually last for seconds or minutes, but in some people they may last for days or more
Relatively severe injuries Relatively severe injuries are caused by severe trauma or severing of nerves. The most severe injury (avulsion) occurs when the nerve root is severed from the spinal cord
Signs and symptoms of a severe injury include:
- Muscle weakness or decreased ability to contract some muscles in the arm, arm, or shoulder
- Lack of motion in the arm, shoulder, or arm
- Severe pain
When to seek help If the injury appears minor, medical attention is still needed Consult a doctor if:
- You often have symptoms of a similar injury
- You have a weakness in the arm or shoulder
- You have a weakness in the upper limb after an injury
- You have complete paralysis of a limb after an injury
- You have neck pain
- Symptoms Delayed treatment reduces the chance of successful nerve surgery
