Brachial Plexus
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What is the Brachial Plexus?
The brachial plexus (or BP) is a network of 5 nerves that connects your spinal cord to the rest of your arm. There is a right and left BP for each of your limbs. These nerves control the muscles that move your chest, shoulder, arm, elbow, wrist, hand, and fingers and allow for any sensations like touch and pain. Damage or injury to any of these nerves can cause a loss of movement (paralysis) or feeling to the affected arm.
The “upper” part helps control the shoulder and the “lower” part mainly controls the hand and fingers. The “middle” part helps with function throughout the arm
How is the Brachial Plexus Nerve Injured?
In adults, the most common ways that the brachial plexus can be injured is through a traumatic injury. These patients can suffer from chronic pain and struggle to find support, information and adequate medical care.
Additional information can be found through the United Brachial Plexus Network.
Newborns can experience a brachial plexus injury during birth when the baby’s shoulder is caught on the mother’s pelvic bone during delivery. In fact, it is estimated that brachial plexus injuries (BPIs) occurs in 2-5 births per 1,000. However, steps can be taken to minimize the likelihood that a newborn experiences a BPI, for advice on minimizing this injury during birth, see: https://ubpn.org/birth-injury/prevention
What happens if I injure my Brachial Plexus?
For adults and newborns who have a BPI, it is critical to find treatment as soon as possible. The early the treatment for a BPI, the increased likelihood of a positive outcome. If you think you may have experienced a BPI, consult your physician immediately. If you need to find an expert in brachial plexus care, use our directory found here: https://globalnervefoundation.org/member-directory/. The United Brachial Plexus Network also has a directory of specialist who treat BPIs that can be found here: https://ubpn.org/medical-directory-2
A crucial time in a child’s prognosis is thought to be the presence or absence of biceps function. If there is no bicep function at six months of age, surgical repair is discussed. If surgery is required to repair the brachial plexus, it should be performed within 3-9 months (7). With shorter time to treatment often resulting in improved outcomes (8).
It is essential that treatment for a brachial plexus injury be obtained as soon as possible from qualified, experienced medical professionals who specialize in treating brachial plexus injuries.
It is essential that treatment for a brachial plexus injury be obtained as soon as possible from qualified, experienced medical professionals who specialize in treating brachial plexus injuries.
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Find help and support if you have a BPI or would like to learn more!
The United Brachial Plexus Network is a non-profit that provides support for those with BPIs.
Visit the UBPN website to learn more about their resources, and to enroll in their camp for children with BPIs.
Click to visit the UPN website
Visit the UBPN website to learn more about their resources, and to enroll in their camp for children with BPIs.
Click to visit the UPN website