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What is 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.
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.
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.
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.
Organizations
Brachial Plexus Palsy Foundation
c/o 210 Springhaven Circle
Royersford, PA 19468
Brachial@aol.com
http://membrane.com/bpp
Tel: 610-792-4234
Fax: brachial@aol.com
National Rehabilitation Information Center (NARIC)
4200 Forbes Boulevard Suite 202
Lanham, MD 20706-4829
naricinfo@heitechservices.com
http://www.naric.com/
Tel: 301-562-2400 800-346-2742
Fax: 301-562-2401
National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
P.O. Box 1968
(55 Kenosia Avenue)
Danbury, CT 06813-1968
orphan@rarediseases.org
http://www.rarediseases.org/
Tel: 203-744-0100 Voice Mail 800-999-NORD (6673)
Fax: 203-798-2291
United Brachial Plexus Network
1610 Kent Street
Kent, OH 44240
info@ubpn.org
http://www.ubpn.org/
Tel: 866-877-7004
National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR)
600 Independence Ave., S.W.
Washington, DC 20013-1492
http://www.ed.gov/offices/OSERS/NIDRR
Tel: 202-205-8134
Source: National Institutes of Health; National Institute of
Neurological Disorders and Stroke
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