Treatment for brachial plexus injury would depend on the extent of the injury, its type, the period of time since the injury occurred and other conditions.

1. Houston Plastic and Craniofacial Surgery
2015
Treatment Options for
Brachial Plexus Injury
Treatment for brachial plexus injury would depend on the extent of the
injury, its type, the period of time since the injury occurred and other
conditions.

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Brachial plexus injury is injury caused to the brachial plexus, a complex network of nerves that
extends from the spinal cord within the neck through the arm pit, supplying nerves to the chest,
shoulder and arm. The injury occurs when the nerves are stretched, compressed, or ripped
apart or torn away from the spinal cord and can have devastating consequences, including loss
of function of the upper extremity and severe pain. Treatment for brachial plexus injury can
help restore normal functioning of the arms, hands and shoulder.
Causes and Symptoms
In babies, this injury is usually caused during birth. In adults, minor injuries occur during
contact sports such as football. Tumors or inflammation can also affect the brachial plexus.
Severe brachial plexus injury, usually caused by auto or motorcycle accidents, can result in
paralysis of the arm, with loss of function and sensation. If left untreated, the condition can
lead to muscle atrophy and permanent dysfunction of the arm.
The most common symptoms of this nerve injury are:
 Severe pain
 Loss of sensation
 Muscle weakness
 Numbness and paralysis in the arm
 Neck pain
 Stiff joint
 Lack of sensation

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Treatment for Brachial Plexus Injury
Treatment for brachial plexus injury would depend on the extent of the injury, its type, the
period of time since the injury occurred and other conditions.
Mild injuries may heal without any invasive treatment. Physical therapy is often recommended
for minor injuries. Children suffering from the injuries since birth usually recover by the time
they reach three or four months of age. If the condition is complex with extensive nerve
damage, then surgical treatment would be recommended. The surgical option are:
 Nerve Graft - In this procedure, the arm’s function is restored by removing the damaged
part of the nerve to reduce reinnervation time. The injured nerves are replaced with
sections of nerves cut from other parts of the body to bridge the defective gap between
two ends of the damaged nerve.
 Nerve Transfer - When the nerve root is torn from the spinal cord, the surgeon may take
the less important nerve which is still attached to the spinal cord and attach it to the nerve
which is not attached to the spinal cord. In some cases, in order to speed up the recovery
process, this technique is performed at a level close to the target muscle instead of doing a
nerve graft far from the muscle. A combination of nerve graft and transfer procedure may
be necessary in cases of complete nerve damage.

 Muscle Transfer – In this procedure, a less important tendon or a muscle along with its
nerve and blood supply is removed from another part of the body and transferred to the

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damaged part to restore function to the elbow, wrist and hand. This is necessary if the arm
muscles become weak.
Plastic surgeons specialized in microsurgery can provide effective treatment for brachial plexus
injury. In professional accredited surgical practices, every patient undergoes a specialized
medical evaluation, which helps determine the appropriate intervention for successful
recovery. Such practices are equipped with the latest technology and other advanced
resources to provide proper treatment .