Brachial Plexus Injuries
Brachial Plexus Injuries
What are brachial plexus injuries?
Brachial plexus injuries are injuries in the network of nerves that provide sensitivity and control to the muscles of the shoulder, arm, forearm, hand, and fingers. These injuries are common in sports. Most disappear pretty quickly.
What happens in brachial plexus injuries?
The network of nerves of the brachial plexus begins with the nerve roots of the spinal cord in the neck and reaches the armpit. From there, the nerves branch out and continue along the arm, hand, and fingers.
When a force increases the angle between the neck and shoulders, the nerves of the brachial plexus can stretch or tear. The lesion can also tear out the nerve roots of the brachial plexus of the spinal cord. Damaged nerves lose some sensitivity and make muscle movements weak.
What are the signs and symptoms of a brachial plexus injury?
Children with a brachial plexus injury may complain about the following:
pain or electricity in the arm
numbness of the arm or fingers
clumsiness or weakness in the hand or arm
the sensation of heat in the affected area
A serious injury can cause paralysis (loss of movement) of the arm and loss of sensation.
Who suffers brachial plexus injuries?
American football players are the ones most at risk of injury to the brachial plexus. But they can also appear in children and adolescents who practice the following sports:
rugby
hockey
fight
artistic gymnastics
Injuries to the brachial plexus can also be caused by an accident (a fall from a bicycle or a car collision) when the head strikes sideways or a blow to the neck and shoulder is received.
Brachial plexus lesions in newborns are less common. They can occur if there is a complication in childbirth, for example, if the child comes from buttocks or if it is a large baby with shoulders too wide to pass through the birth canal.
How are brachial plexus injuries diagnosed?
In general, doctors recognize brachial plexus injuries by the symptoms of the child or adolescent and through a physical exam. The doctor will check the strength, reflexes, and range of arm movement.
You may also ask for imaging tests, such as x-rays or an MRI if your child has the following:
history of brachial plexus injuries
neck pain or reduced mobility
symptoms in both arms
weakness that lasts for more than a few days
trouble thinking, speaking or memory
Tests also allow doctors to see the extent of the injury and rule out a more serious condition, such as a spinal fracture.
How are brachial plexus injuries treated?
Treatment depends on the severity of the injury. Many minor injuries do not need treatment because of muscle sensitivity and control return within a few minutes.
Children with a lasting injury may need the following:
Apply ice to the affected area. Use an ice pack or a cold compress for 20 minutes in a row every 2 to 3 hours during the first couple of days to reduce swelling.
Anti-inflammatory medications Pain relievers (such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen) can help relieve pain and swelling of the neck and shoulder.
Exercises for the range of motion. To keep the neck, shoulder, arm, and hand agile and flexible while the nerves heal, the doctor may recommend some exercises. These exercises can also help relieve muscle spasms.
What else should I know?
Most brachial plexus injuries disappear on their own. Children with a more serious injury can work with a physiotherapist or trainer to keep their muscles strong while they heal.
Brachial plexus lesions must be completely healthy before children return to sports. To reduce the chances of a brachial plexus injury, children who play contact sports should do the following:
Keep the neck and shoulder muscles as strong and flexible as they can.
Gently stretch the neck muscles before any sporting activity.
Wear protective gear (such as a football collar or specially designed shoulder pads).
Use appropriate sports techniques (never tack with your head during an American football game, etc.).
What are brachial plexus injuries?
Brachial plexus injuries are injuries in the network of nerves that provide sensitivity and control to the muscles of the shoulder, arm, forearm, hand, and fingers. These injuries are common in sports. Most disappear pretty quickly.
What happens in brachial plexus injuries?
The network of nerves of the brachial plexus begins with the nerve roots of the spinal cord in the neck and reaches the armpit. From there, the nerves branch out and continue along the arm, hand, and fingers.
When a force increases the angle between the neck and shoulders, the nerves of the brachial plexus can stretch or tear. The lesion can also tear out the nerve roots of the brachial plexus of the spinal cord. Damaged nerves lose some sensitivity and make muscle movements weak.
What are the signs and symptoms of a brachial plexus injury?
Children with a brachial plexus injury may complain about the following:
pain or electricity in the arm
numbness of the arm or fingers
clumsiness or weakness in the hand or arm
the sensation of heat in the affected area
A serious injury can cause paralysis (loss of movement) of the arm and loss of sensation.
Who suffers brachial plexus injuries?
American football players are the ones most at risk of injury to the brachial plexus. But they can also appear in children and adolescents who practice the following sports:
rugby
hockey
fight
artistic gymnastics
Injuries to the brachial plexus can also be caused by an accident (a fall from a bicycle or a car collision) when the head strikes sideways or a blow to the neck and shoulder is received.
Brachial plexus lesions in newborns are less common. They can occur if there is a complication in childbirth, for example, if the child comes from buttocks or if it is a large baby with shoulders too wide to pass through the birth canal.
How are brachial plexus injuries diagnosed?
In general, doctors recognize brachial plexus injuries by the symptoms of the child or adolescent and through a physical exam. The doctor will check the strength, reflexes, and range of arm movement.
You may also ask for imaging tests, such as x-rays or an MRI if your child has the following:
history of brachial plexus injuries
neck pain or reduced mobility
symptoms in both arms
weakness that lasts for more than a few days
trouble thinking, speaking or memory
Tests also allow doctors to see the extent of the injury and rule out a more serious condition, such as a spinal fracture.
How are brachial plexus injuries treated?
Treatment depends on the severity of the injury. Many minor injuries do not need treatment because of muscle sensitivity and control return within a few minutes.
Children with a lasting injury may need the following:
Apply ice to the affected area. Use an ice pack or a cold compress for 20 minutes in a row every 2 to 3 hours during the first couple of days to reduce swelling.
Anti-inflammatory medications Pain relievers (such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen) can help relieve pain and swelling of the neck and shoulder.
Exercises for the range of motion. To keep the neck, shoulder, arm, and hand agile and flexible while the nerves heal, the doctor may recommend some exercises. These exercises can also help relieve muscle spasms.
What else should I know?
Most brachial plexus injuries disappear on their own. Children with a more serious injury can work with a physiotherapist or trainer to keep their muscles strong while they heal.
Brachial plexus lesions must be completely healthy before children return to sports. To reduce the chances of a brachial plexus injury, children who play contact sports should do the following:
Keep the neck and shoulder muscles as strong and flexible as they can.
Gently stretch the neck muscles before any sporting activity.
Wear protective gear (such as a football collar or specially designed shoulder pads).
Use appropriate sports techniques (never tack with your head during an American football game, etc.).
Comments
Post a Comment