Jurnal Plexus Brachial

Brosseau L, Welch V, Wells G, Tugwell P, de Bie R, Gam A, Harman K, Shea B, Morin M

Physiotherapy Program, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. lbrossea@uottawa.ca

The Journal of Rheumatology [2000, 27(8):1961-9]

Of the journal titled as above, I can understand are as follows :

PLEXUS BRACHIAL

Definition

A brachial plexus injury is an injury to the brachial plexus — the network of nerves that sends signals from your spine to your shoulder, arm and hand. A brachial plexus injury occurs when these nerves are stretched or, in the most serious cases, torn. This happens as result of your shoulder being pressed down forcefully while your head is pushed up and away from that shoulder.
Brachial plexus injuries are common in contact sports, but they frequently result from auto or motorcycle accidents or falls. Babies sometimes sustain brachial plexus injuries during birth. Other conditions, such as inflammation or tumors, may affect the brachial plexus.
Minor injuries may get better on their own, but severe brachial plexus injuries require surgical repair.

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of a brachial plexus injury can vary greatly, depending on the severity and location of your injury. Usually only one arm is affected.
Less-severe injuries
Minor damage often occurs during contact sports, such as football or wrestling, when the brachial plexus nerves get stretched. Known as "stingers" or "burners," these injuries can produce the following symptoms:

• A feeling like an electric shock or a burning sensation shooting down your arm
• Numbness and weakness in your arm

These symptoms usually last only a few seconds or minutes, but in some people may linger for days or longer.
More-severe injuries
More-severe symptoms result from injuries that tear or rupture the nerves. The most serious brachial plexus injury (avulsion) occurs when the nerve root is torn from the spinal cord.
Signs and symptoms of more-severe injuries can include:

• The ability to use your fingers, but not your shoulder or elbow muscles
• The ability to use your arm but not your fingers
• Complete lack of movement and feeling in your entire arm, including shoulder and hand
• Severe pain

Causes

Damage to the upper nerves that make up the brachial plexus tends to occur when your shoulder is forced down, and your neck stretches up and away from the injured shoulder. The lower nerves are more likely to be injured when your arm is forced above your head. These injuries can occur in several ways:

• Contact sports. Many football players experience burners or stingers, which can occur when the nerves in the brachial plexus get stretched beyond their limit during collisions with other players.
• Difficult births. Newborns can sustain brachial plexus injuries when there are problems during birth, such as a breech presentation or prolonged labor. If an infant's shoulders get wedged within the birth canal, the force used to pull the baby free also can damage the nerves in the brachial plexus. Most often, the upper nerves are injured, a condition called Erb's palsy. Total brachial plexus birth palsy occurs when both the upper and lower nerves are damaged.
• Trauma. Vehicular accidents, especially motorcycle accidents, and boating accidents can result in brachial plexus injuries. Animal bites and bullet or knife wounds also can damage the brachial plexus.

A rare condition known as Parsonage-Turner syndrome (brachial plexitis) causes brachial plexus inflammation with no apparent shoulder injury.

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