| Brachial plexus is a network of nerves that conducts | | | | and extend the head backward, forward and side to |
| signals or movement from the spinal cord to the arm | | | | side as far as possible. If any of these actions causes |
| and hand. A Brachial plexus injury is a nerve injury - an | | | | burning in the neck or shoulder, the patient should not |
| avulsion, rupture, neuroma or praxis to these nerves. | | | | return to contact sports. In general, the longer the |
| Acute brachial plexus neuritis is an uncommon disorder | | | | patient has symptoms before treatment is started, the |
| of unknown etiology that is easily confused with other | | | | longer it will take to make a full recovery. |
| neck and upper extremity abnormalities, such as | | | | An elbow conformer splint can also be used for a soft |
| cervical spondylosis and cervical radiculopathy.1-3 | | | | tissue contracture caused by the elbow flexors |
| Patients with acute brachial plexus neuritis present with | | | | overpowering extensors. It is also beneficial to |
| a characteristic pattern of acute or subacute onset of | | | | maintains the arm in extension for active reaching to |
| pain followed by profound weakness of the upper arm | | | | strengthen deltoid or in weight bearing activities when |
| and amyotrophic changes affecting the shoulder girdle | | | | the triceps are weak. |
| and upper extremity. | | | | Infants with mild injuries who do not heal by 3 to 4 |
| The prognosis for a brachial plexus injury is dependent | | | | months of age, or those with more severe injuries |
| on the severity of the injury. Patients with stretch | | | | (such as avulsions or ruptures), need surgery to |
| injuries have the best potential for recovery of normal | | | | improve or correct nerve function. This surgery is best |
| arm and hand function. When the nerve is cut or | | | | performed by a highly skilled, experienced team and |
| severely torn, recovery is poor, although surgery may | | | | ideally should occur within three to six months after |
| improve the outcome. Recovery in Parsonage-Turner | | | | birth. After children turn 1 year old, nerve surgery may |
| syndrome depends on how severely inflammation has | | | | not be as successful. |
| damaged the nerve. | | | | Eliminate polyunsaturated vegetable oils, margarine, |
| Physical or occupational therapy exercises. Surgery | | | | vegetable shortening, all partially hydrogenated oils, all |
| plus therapy exercises. Most children will regain full use | | | | foods (such as deep-fried foods) that might contain |
| of their motor function through therapy alone. For | | | | trans-fatty acids. Use extra-virgin olive oil as your main |
| those children who do not regain their motor function | | | | fat. |
| by 3-6 months of age, nerve surgery can be an | | | | Surgery may be indicated if the patient doesn't |
| effective treatment to improve arm function following | | | | recover adequate function within several months. |
| a brachial plexus injury. | | | | Surgery on the nerves, if required, should ideally occur |
| The goal of treatment is to enable the patient to return | | | | within three to six months and not later than one year |
| to sport or activity as soon as possible while not | | | | after the injury. When evaluation is delayed beyond six |
| worsening the injury, which could lead to permanent | | | | to nine months, treatment options are fewer and more |
| damage. Return to activity will be determined by how | | | | limited, although evaluation and treatment will likely still |
| quickly the nerves recover. A patient should be able to | | | | be of value. |
| have full range of motion in the neck, including being | | | | Read about Herbal Remedies, Natural Remedies. |
| able to turn the head fully to look over both shoulders, | | | | |