The Brachial plexus is a network of nerves that send signals from your spine to your shoulder, arm and hand. A Brachial Plexus injury occurs when these nerves are stretched, compressed. The nerves control the all the muscles of the shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand.
Injuries can occur when the head and neck are forced away from the shoulder such as in a motor or bike accident, sports impact, falls through the upper body.
Signs and Symptoms
Nerve injuries can stop signals to and from the muscles of arm and hand from working properly, and causing loss of function and sensation in the area.
Physiotherapy treatment
Many of these type of injuries will not recover on their own so proper evaluation by your physician is essential along with additional testing such as nerve conduction tests, MRI scans or CT scans for accurate diagnosis.
Physiotherapy intervention may proceed after these tests are completed. As well as manual therapy and nerve stimulation techniques being implemented, exercise programs are involved to strengthen and rehabilitate a brachial plexus injury.
Recovery can be slow taking weeks to months and provided appropriate physiotherapy intervention is given, a good recovery is prognosed for pain free full active range of movement, strength and return of sensation.
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