When Nerves Speak: Decoding the Symptoms and Causes of Brachial Plexus

The brachial plexus is a network of nerves that provide movement and feeling to the arm, hands, and shoulder. A brachial plexus injury occurs when these nerves are compressed, stretched, or ripped apart from the spinal cord. Minor injuries are caused due contact sports like football or cricket. The most severe brachial plexus injuries result from an automobile or motorcycle accident.

The injuries cut off the communication between the spinal cord and the arm, hand, or wrist. The injury may lead to loss of sensation in the area. Brachial Plexus injury treatment depends on the type of injury and where it is originating from. Let us look more into the symptoms and causes of the injury through this article.

 Types of Brachial Plexus Injuries

 Brachial Plexus injuries are categorized on how the nerves are damaged and also depend on the severity of the injury.

●       Stretch: When the nerves are stretched to the point of injury, it is called neuropraxia. It is of two types: compression and traction. In compression, the nerve root is compressed whereas in traction neuropraxia, the nerve is pulled downward. These types of injuries are often called burners or stingers.

●       Brachial Plexus Rupture: In this, a nerve tear is caused by a forceful stretch. This is a more serious injury than neuropraxia. These ruptures can cause weakness in arms, shoulders, and legs causing severe pain. These injuries can be cured via surgery.

●       Brachial Plexus Neuroma: Sometimes, nerve tissue gets injured, leading to a painful knot in one of the brachial plexus nerves. It is extremely painful and can be cured via surgery to prevent another neuroma from forming.

●       Brachial Neuritis: It is a rare, progressive disorder of the brachial plexus nerves. It causes severe pain in the shoulder and upper arm leading to weakness, muscle loss, and loss of sensation.

●       Brachial Plexus Avulsion: An avulsion occurs when the root of the nerve gets completely separated from the spinal cord. It is mostly caused by a trauma like a motorcycle accident. Avulsions can lead to permanent weakness, loss of feeling, and even paralysis.

Navigating Pain: Understanding the Complex Symptoms of Brachial Plexus

Symptoms of brachial plexus depend on where the injury has occurred and how severe they are. The injuries that affect the nerve above the spinal cord affect the shoulder while the injuries that affect the nerves in the lower brachial plexus network affect arms, wrists, and hands.

The symptoms of brachial plexus are as follows:

●       Weakness or Paralysis: It is one of the primary symptoms of brachial plexus injury. It causes weakness or paralysis in the affected area. The degree of weakness can range from mild to severe leading to partial or complete loss of muscle function.

●       Numbness: Individuals with brachial plexus injury can experience numbness and tingling sensation in the affected area.

●       Pain: Pain is one of the most common symptoms of brachial plexus injur ko y. The intensity of the pain may vary from a mild ache to a burning sensation.

●       Loss of Sensation: Abrachial plexus injuries can cause a loss of sensation in the arm as well as weakness. There might be a loss of feeling in certain areas, like touch, temperature, or pain.

●       Muscle Atrophy: Due to a lack of proper nerve stimulation, the muscles of the affected arm may shrink or waste away over time if the brachial plexus injury is severe and long-lasting.

●       Limited Range of Motion: A brachial plexus injury can restrict movement and limit the range of motion in the affected arm. Certain activities that require normal arm and shoulder movement may be challenging.

●       Posture: Brachial plexus injuries can sometimes make the arm look weird. Muscle weakness or loss of tone could result in drooping or limping. 

Birth and Beyond Understanding the Causes of Brachial Plexus in Infants and Adults

The cause behind the brachial plexus can be classified into two main categories: Traumatic and Non-Traumatic.

Traumatic Causes:

●       Birth Injuries: Some brachial plexus injuries occur at the time of childbirth when there is difficulty in delivering the baby. The baby's shoulder gets stuck behind the pelvic bone of the mother leading to tearing and stretching of brachial plexus nerves.

●       Motor Vehicle Accidents: Motor vehicle accidents, particularly those from motorcycles lead to brachial plexus injuries. The huge trauma can damage the nerves in the neck as well as the shoulder region.

●       Sports Injuries: Sports activities like football, wrestling, and rugby can also be a major cause of brachial plexus injuries. Falls, collisions, and bows to the neck or shoulder area can severely damage the nerves in that area.

●       Traumatic Falls: Falls from significant heights can damage the brachial plexus. Accidents like this can happen during rock climbing, diving, or falls from ladders and stairs.

Non-Traumatic Causes 

●        Tumors or growths: Benign or malignant tumors in the brachial plexus can hurt or damage the nerves.

●       Inflammation or infections: Brachial neuritis, or Parsonage-Turner syndrome, is caused by viruses or bacteria, autoimmune conditions, or other inflammatory conditions. This can result in nerve damage and cause the symptoms of the brachial plexus.

●        Radiation Therapy: Radiation treatment for cancers in the chest or neck region, including breast cancer or lymphoma, can damage the brachial plexus nerves.

●       Compression or entrapment: Repetitive activities involving excessive stretching, compression, or pressure on the brachial plexus, like running, can cause irritation, inflammation, or entrapment.

 The treatment of Brachial Plexus in India has gained significant recognition due to top advanced medical facilities, skilled surgeons, and a comprehensive approach to patient care. India offers a range of treatment options to people suffering from brachial plexus. The Brachial plexus injury treatment cost in India is extremely affordable and aims at restoring function and improving the quality of life for individuals dealing with brachial plexus injuries.