What is a Brachial Plexus Injury?

Brachial plexus injuries are the result of damage to the network of nerves that are responsible for the sending of signals from the spinal cord to one’s chest, shoulder, arm, and hand. This network consists of four cervical nerves and the first thoracic nerve (C5, C6, C7, C8, and T1). Brachial plexus injuries can occur for a variety of reasons such as sports related injuries, difficult births, and trauma.  These injuries vary in severity from minor to very severe.

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Minor brachial plexus injuries are typically the result of the stretching or compression of the brachial plexus nerves. These often resolve on their own and do not require surgical treatments. On the other hand, more severe brachial plexus injuries such as those that result from a rupture of the nerves are those that may be repaired by surgical treatments. However, the most severe brachial plexus injuries are avulsions in which the nerve root has been torn from the spinal cord. This severe injury may not be repairable with surgical treatments.

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Fact Sources: Mayo Clinic & American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons