Treatment options for brachial plexus injury

Houston Plastic and Craniofacial Surgery

Treatment Options for Brachial Plexus Injury Treatment for brachial plexus injury would depend on the extent of the injury, its type, the period of time since the injury occurred and other conditions.

2015

Brachial plexus injury is injury caused to the brachial plexus, a complex network of nerves that extends from the spinal cord within the neck through the arm pit, supplying nerves to the chest, shoulder and arm. The injury occurs when the nerves are stretched, compressed, or ripped apart or torn away from the spinal cord and can have devastating consequences, including loss of function of the upper extremity and severe pain. Treatment for brachial plexus injury can help restore normal functioning of the arms, hands and shoulder.

Causes and Symptoms In babies, this injury is usually caused during birth. In adults, minor injuries occur during contact sports such as football. Tumors or inflammation can also affect the brachial plexus.

Severe brachial plexus injury, usually caused by auto or motorcycle accidents, can result in paralysis of the arm, with loss of function and sensation. If left untreated, the condition can lead to muscle atrophy and permanent dysfunction of the arm.

The most common symptoms of this nerve injury are: 

Severe pain



Loss of sensation



Muscle weakness



Numbness and paralysis in the arm



Neck pain



Stiff joint



Lack of sensation

www.drseanboutros.com

713-791-0700

Treatment for Brachial Plexus Injury Treatment for brachial plexus injury would depend on the extent of the injury, its type, the period of time since the injury occurred and other conditions.

Mild injuries may heal without any invasive treatment. Physical therapy is often recommended for minor injuries. Children suffering from the injuries since birth usually recover by the time they reach three or four months of age. If the condition is complex with extensive nerve damage, then surgical treatment would be recommended. The surgical option are: 

Nerve Graft - In this procedure, the arm’s function is restored by removing the damaged part of the nerve to reduce reinnervation time. The injured nerves are replaced with sections of nerves cut from other parts of the body to bridge the defective gap between two ends of the damaged nerve.



Nerve Transfer - When the nerve root is torn from the spinal cord, the surgeon may take the less important nerve which is still attached to the spinal cord and attach it to the nerve which is not attached to the spinal cord. In some cases, in order to speed up the recovery process, this technique is performed at a level close to the target muscle instead of doing a nerve graft far from the muscle. A combination of nerve graft and transfer procedure may be necessary in cases of complete nerve damage.

 

Muscle Transfer – In this procedure, a less important tendon or a muscle along with its nerve and blood supply is removed from another part of the body and transferred to the

www.drseanboutros.com

713-791-0700

damaged part to restore function to the elbow, wrist and hand. This is necessary if the arm muscles become weak.

Plastic surgeons specialized in microsurgery can provide effective treatment for brachial plexus injury. In professional accredited surgical practices, every patient undergoes a specialized medical evaluation, which helps determine the appropriate intervention for successful recovery.

Such practices are equipped with the latest technology and other advanced

resources to provide proper treatment .

www.drseanboutros.com

713-791-0700