• info@vivavel.com
  • +919818262686
  • +919818262686

Medical Treatments

Brachial Plexus Injury Treatment

A brachial plexus injury happens when the network of nerves that controls the arm and hand gets damaged. These nerves, located in the shoulder area, send signals from the spinal cord to the arm and hand, helping them move and feel. When these nerves are injured, it can cause problems with arm and hand movement and sensation.
The injury can be caused by trauma, such as a car accident, sports injury, or during childbirth if the baby's shoulder gets stuck. Depending on the severity, the injury might be mild, where you only experience some numbness or weakness, or it could be severe, leading to paralysis or a lack of feeling in the arm.
Symptoms of a brachial plexus injury include weakness or paralysis in the arm, difficulty moving the arm, and changes in how the arm feels, like numbness or tingling. Treatment may vary depending on the severity of the injury and can include physical therapy to enhance movement and strength. In some instances, surgery might be necessary to repair damaged nerves.

Signs & Symptoms

 Symptoms can depend on the severity and specific nerves affected, but they may include:

  • Weakness or paralysis: Difficulty moving the arm or hand.
  • Numbness or tingling: Loss of sensation or abnormal sensations in the arm or hand.
  • Pain: Persistent pain in the shoulder, arm, or hand.
  • Limited range of motion: Trouble with arm movements or coordination.
  • Muscle wasting: Reduced muscle size or strength over time.

Note: Symptoms can range from mild discomfort to severe disability.

Causes

 Causes of Brachial Plexus Injury:

  • Trauma
    • Motor vehicle accidents
    • Falls
    • Blunt force injuries
  • Sports injuries:
    • Contact sports like football or wrestling
  • Birth-related injuries:
    • Shoulder dystocia during childbirth
    • Excessive pulling on the baby's head or shoulders during delivery
  • Compression or stretching of nerves:
    • Tumors pressing on the brachial plexus
    • Prolonged pressure on the shoulder area
  • Penetrating injuries:
    • Gunshot or stab wounds
  • Radiation therapy:
    • Damage to the brachial plexus as a side effect of cancer treatment
  • Inflammatory or infectious conditions:
    • Brachial plexitis (Parsonage-Turner syndrome)

Each cause can vary in severity, affecting the degree of nerve damage and resulting symptoms.

When to seek medical attention?

Seek medical attention if you experience:

  • Sudden weakness or paralysis in the arm.
  • Severe pain or numbness that doesn't improve.
  • Loss of sensation or difficulty moving the arm.
  • Persistent symptoms following an injury or trauma.
Diagnostics & Tests

To diagnose a brachial plexus injury, doctors may use:

  • Physical examination: Assessment of muscle strength, reflexes, and sensation.
  • Imaging tests:
    • MRI: Provides detailed images of soft tissues and nerves.
    • CT scan: Shows detailed images of bones and surrounding structures.
    • Electromyography (EMG): Measures electrical activity in muscles to assess nerve function.
    • Nerve conduction studies: Tests how well electrical signals travel through the nerves.
Do’s & Don’ts

Do's:

  • Follow medical advice: Adhere to treatment plans and therapy recommendations.
  • Engage in physical therapy: Regular exercises can improve recovery and function.
  • Manage pain: Use prescribed medications or therapies to alleviate pain.
  • Stay active: Gentle exercises and movements can aid in recovery.
  • Monitor progress: Keep track of changes in symptoms and report them to your healthcare provider.

Don'ts:

  • Avoid self-diagnosing: Rely on medical professionals for accurate diagnosis and treatment.
  • Don't neglect symptoms: Seek medical attention if symptoms worsen or don't improve.
  • Avoid overexerting the affected arm: Rest and avoid activities that could worsen the injury.
  • Don't ignore therapy: Consistent therapy is crucial for recovery and improving function.

 

NOTE:

Our team of medical content authors has carefully collected and analyzed information on this topic to provide valuable insights to our readers. Utilizing a variety of reputable medical journals and health resources, this content aims to improve understanding of the subject. Please keep in mind that while this information is informative, it should not substitute for personalized consultation or treatment from a qualified physician. For more details, please refer to our Editorial Policy.

For this topic, our authors used some of the following resources:

Johns Hopkins Medicine | Brachial Plexus Injury

National Institutes of Health (NIH) (.gov) | Anatomy, Head and Neck: Brachial Plexus

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons | Brachial Plexus Injuries - OrthoInfo - AAOS

MedlinePlus (.gov) | Brachial plexus injury in newborns

ScienceDirect.com | Brachial Plexus - an overview


 

 

Frequently Asked Questions For Brachial Plexus Injury Treatment

Some mild injuries can improve with conservative treatment, but severe injuries often require surgical intervention and therapy.

Recovery time varies depending on the severity of the injury and the treatment used. It can range from a few months to over a year.

Severe injuries may lead to long-term issues such as weakness, limited range of motion, or chronic pain.

While some causes like trauma or birth complications are unavoidable, preventive measures in high-risk activities and careful management during childbirth can reduce risk.

Surgery is typically reserved for severe cases where conservative treatments and therapy are not effective.

Best Hospitals in Brachial Plexus Injury Treatment

Explore All Hospitals in Brachial Plexus Injury Treatment
BLK-MAX Super Specialty Hospital, Delhi – State-of-the-art medical facility
BLK-MAX Super Specialty Hospital

Pusa Road, Radha Soami Satsang, Rajendra Place New Delhi, 110005 India

Accord Superspeciality Hospital, a leading healthcare facility in Faridabad, offering advanced treatments with modern infrastructure.
Accord Superspeciality Hospital

Budena Village, Sector 86, Faridabad, Haryana 121002, India

High-tech medical equipment at Artemis Hospital, Gurgaon, ensuring accurate diagnostics and advanced treatment solutions.
Artemis Hospital

Artemis Hospitals Sector 51, Gurugram 122001 Haryana, India

PARAS Health, Gurugram – top multispecialty hospital for international patients via VivaVel.com
PARAS Health, Gurugram

C-1, Sushant Lok- 1, Sector-43, Phase- I, Gurugram, Haryana, 122002

Amrita Hospital, Faridabad – India's largest multispecialty hospital with cutting-edge healthcare infrastructure and global standards.
Amrita Hospital

Mata Amritanandamayi Marg, Sector 88, Faridabad, Haryana, India 121002

Columbia Asia Extended Care Hospital, Kuala Lumpur – Specialized elderly care with VivaVel
Columbia Asia Extended Care Hospital

Lot 2, Jalan Baung 17/22, Seksyen 17, 40200 Shah Alam, Selangor Kuala Lumpur, 40200 (Malaysia)

Top Doctors in Brachial Plexus Injury Treatment

Explore All Doctors in Brachial Plexus Injury Treatment
Rohit Gupta
  • Dr. Rohit Gupta
  • Chairman, Neurosciences
  • Neurology
  • 17 Years Experience
  • Accord Superspeciality Hospital

Dr. (Prof.) Rohit Gupta is a well-known neurologist in Faridabad, Haryana, India, with over 17 years of experience in clinical neurology. He achieved academic success...

View Details Book Consultation
Sandeep Ghosh
  • Dr. Sandeep Ghosh
  • Consultant
  • Neuro-Surgeon
  • 11 Years Experience
  • Accord Superspeciality Hospital

Dr. Sandeep Ghosh is a highly regarded consultant neurologist, currently practicing at the esteemed Neurosciences Department of Accord Superspeciality Hospital in Faridabad, ...

View Details Book Consultation
Vikram Dua
  • Dr. Vikram Dua
  • Director – Dept Of Brain & Spine Surge...
  • Neurosurgery & Spine
  • 26 Years Experience
  • Accord Superspeciality Hospital

Dr. Vikram Dua is one of India's top neuro and spine surgeons. With over 26 years of experience, he has performed over 10,000 surgeries, with a success rate excee...

View Details Book Consultation
L. N. Tripathy
  • Dr. L. N. Tripathy
  • Senior Vice Chairman, Director & Senior ...
  • Neuro-Surgeon
  • 31 Years Experience
  • Manipal Hospital (E.M. Bypass), Kolkata

Dr. LN Tripathy is a highly esteemed neurosurgeon with an impressive 31-year career. Since April 2010, he has been the Director of the Medica Institute of Neurologica...

View Details Book Consultation
Anish Kumar Ghosh
  • Dr. Anish Kumar Ghosh
  • Consultant
  • Neurology (Medicine)
  • 20 Years Experience
  • Manipal Hospital (E.M. Bypass), Kolkata

Dr. Anish Kumar is a highly experienced medical professional with over 21 years of experience, including more than 11 years dedicated to neurology. He is currently a ...

View Details Book Consultation
Kaushik Sen
  • Dr. Kaushik Sen
  • HOD & Senior Consultant
  • Neurologist
  • 18 Years Experience
  • Manipal Hospital (E.M. Bypass), Kolkata

Dr. Kaushik Sen is a  highly esteemed senior consultant neurologist with over 18 years of post-DM experience in neurology. He holds a gold medal in MBBS, an MD i...

View Details Book Consultation
X

Get FREE Evalution

Treatment Plan & Cost within 2 days

By submitting, you agree to our Terms & Conditions & Privacy Policy of VivaVel.com. captcha