What Is Brachial Plexus Injury After An Accident?

It’s safe to assume that the full function and mobility of your shoulder, arm, and hand are essential to performing daily activities with ease, whether it’s typing at work, steering a car, or simply making dinner. However, when a traumatic incident, or, in some cases, a presumably minor accident takes place, there’s a significant risk of sustaining a Brachial Plexus Injury. This intricate network of nerves, responsible for controlling movement and sensation in the upper extremities, can be compromised due to sudden impact or forceful trauma.

What is a Brachial Plexus Injury?

A Brachial Plexus Injury refers to damage or trauma to the network of nerves that control sensation and movement in the shoulder, arm, and hand. In the instance of a car crash, for example, the Brachial Plexus can be pinched, stretched, or compressed causing an array of problems. This presents itself in many different ways, such as; numbness or loss of sensation, weakness or paralysis in the arm or hand, and even mild to severe pain.

Since The Brachial Plexus starts at the neck and stretches to the armpit, damage typically occurs when the arm is suddenly stretched or pulled.

What’s the Anatomy of the Brachial Plexus?

At the top of your spine are the 5 nerves that make up the Brachial Plexus. The plexus uses these nerves to connect with other nerves, thus providing movement and sensation or feeling on the skin. Each of these 5 nerves that make up the Brachial Plexus has a very unique and important function, independent from each other. This is why pinpointing where exactly the Brachial Plexus has been damaged is crucial in finding and providing proper treatment.

What Does Treatment Look Like For a Brachial Plexus Injury?

There are two kinds of treatments that are most commonly used in the case of a Brachial Plexus Injury; Non-surgical, and Surgical.

Non-surgical treatment is considered first because many injuries to the Brachial Plexus will heal over a period of a few weeks, or months. It’s also favorable because nerve injuries that heal on their own have a better chance at full or almost full functional outcomes. In this case, if your medical care provider thinks that the injury is likely to heal on its own, you will be monitored for some time before surgery is considered.

Surgical treatment is often recommended when the nerves fail to heal over time without much intervention. This can look like total loss of feeling in the limb, or healing only to the point of light sensation or movement. When looking at any surgery, it’s important to ask your doctor to set realistic recovery timelines and gather all the information you need in order to feel secure and ready for surgery, and all that comes after.

Surgery for Brachial Plexus Injury

There are 6 types of surgeries that can be recommended for your Brachial Plexus Injury depending on the severity and location. The types of surgeries are; Brachial Plexus Nerve Repair, Brachial Plexus Decompression and Neurolysis, Nerve Grafting Surgery, Brachial Plexus Nerve Transfer Surgery, Tendon Transfer Surgery, and Functional Muscle Transplant.

All procedures must be cleared and recommended by your doctor as each procedure is to highlight or service a different set of nerves or to create the perfect outcome for your specific injury.

Think You Might Have A Brachial Plexus Injury? Visit Impact Medical Wesley Chapel Today!

Remember, seeking prompt medical treatment after any incident where you experience arm or shoulder pain, or numbness, is crucial to ensure a full recovery and avoid potential long-term complications. Our team at Impact Medical – Wesley Chapel is here to provide top-notch care.

Don’t wait to get medical attention – contact Impact Medical – Wesley Chapel at 813-701-5424 today to start your journey toward recovery and full functionality so you can get back to performing daily activities, pain-free!