BRACHIAL PLEXUS INJURIES

What are brachial plexus injuries?

The brachial plexus nerves refer to the confluence of the C5, C6, C7, C8, and T1 nerve roots to form the peripheral nerves. It is an intricate confluence of nerves just above and below the collarbone. Brachial plexus injuries have devastating results as the injury causes severe loss of function and sensation to the affected limb.

Injuries to the brachial plexus can be sharp (like stab injuries) or closed where the nerves stretch or pull out the spinal cord. The most common pattern is seen in high-energy injuries like motor vehicle accidents, where the head is forced away from the shoulder where the two upper roots C5 & C6 (or the merging of these roots called the upper trunk) are injured, resulting in the inability to lift the shoulder or to flex the elbow.

What are the symptoms of brachial plexus injuries?

Symptoms of a brachial plexus injury vary greatly depending on the location and the severity of the injury. Symptoms may include an electric shock or a burning sensations down your arm, numbness or weakness in your arm, severe pain and lack of movement in your arm, including your shoulder and hand.

FAQ

1What are the common signs of a brachial plexus injury?

Common signs include the following:

  • A limp/motionless arm
  • Poor muscle control in the upper extremity (hand, wrist and arm)
  • Shoulder pain
2What diagnostic tests exist for brachial plexus injuries?
It may take 9-12 months to recover from brachial plexus surgery.
3What diagnostic tests exist for brachial plexus injuries?

Your hand surgeon may consider the following diagnostic tests:

  • A physical examination
  • X-ray
  • Imaging studies
  • MRI
  • Nerve conduction test

Please read the above text for more in-depth information to help answer these questions. It's important to consult with our qualified healthcare professionals to ensure the appropriate diagnosis and treatment plan for your specific situation.

How are brachial plexus injuries treated?

Severe injuries that involve the whole plexus (C5-T1) result in an insensate flail arm. These injuries are very difficult to reconstruct, and the prognosis is poor.

The treatment of brachial plexus injuries is evolving. The real challenge is that whatever the hand and wrist specialist does, in and around the plexus, recovery takes a long time. There is a recent trend in reconstruction with viable motor nerves (nerves that innervate muscles) to be transferred onto injured nerves. A classic example of this is the Oberlin nerve transfer that utilises a motor fascicle of the ulnar nerve to be transferred to the musculocutaneous nerve, which facilitates elbow flexion.

These injuries are complex and need to be evaluated by a hand surgeon who specialises in brachial plexus nerve reconstruction. Timing is important. If you have had a brachial plexus injury, please see Dr van der Spuy as soon as possible. There is always a sense of hope.