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Brachial Plexus Avulsion Pain

WHAT IS IT AND HOW IS IT TREATED?

Brachial Plexus Avulsion Pain

From contact sports to traumatic car accidents, injuries to the Brachial Plexus can leave patients in intense pain and limited arm, shoulder, or hand movement. If you have been diagnosed with a Brachial Plexus injury and are suffering from ongoing Brachial Plexus Avulsion Pain, there are treatments to help relieve your pain and potentially regain mobility.

 

The Brachial Plexus is the system of nerves that provide communication from the spinal cord to the shoulders, arms, and hands. If this collection of nerves is stretched, compressed, or torn away from the spinal cord, the connection can be disrupted or lost. Brachial Plexus Avulsion can cause intense pain, mobility issues, and in the worst cases, the full paralysis of the limb.

Symptoms

The symptoms of Brachial Plexus Avulsion depend on the severity of the injury. If the tear or stretching is limited (as in most sports-related injuries), symptoms can be minor. If there is a major strain, tear or the Brachial Plexus is pulled completely away from the spinal cord, the outcome may be extreme pain and loss of function. Patients may describe crushing sensations, intense burning pain, shooting pain and/or constant aching pain.

 

Minor Injury Symptoms:

  • Weakness in shoulder, arm, or hand
  • Numbness or tingling
  • Pain described as burning, shooting, or shocking

 

Major Injury Symptoms:

  • Loss of function in hand, arm, or shoulder
  • Complete numbness
  • Intense pain

Treatment

Depending on the severity of the injury, initial surgical treatments will vary but can include:

  • Neurolysis
  • Nerve grafts
  • Nerve transfers
  • Muscle transfers

 

Chronic Brachial Plexus Avulsion Pain may be managed with:

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