Brachial Plexus Injuries

Overview

The brachial plexus is a network of nerves that comes from the spinal cord and controls muscle movements and sensation in the shoulder, arm and hand. Traumatic injuries to this network — most commonly caused by accidents or by childbirth (Erb's palsy or obstetrical brachial plexus) — can leave the arm useless. Tumors, compression or irradiation can also injure the brachial plexus.

For many years, Mayo Clinic physicians have been at the cutting edge of brachial plexus surgery. Using advanced microsurgical techniques (including nerve and muscle transfers) surgeons can repair the damaged nerves of the brachial plexus to restore some function to the arm.

Diagnosis

Symptoms of a traumatic brachial plexus injury are typically noticed soon after the injury, but the diagnosis of a brachial plexus injury may be delayed, often because other serious injuries need treatment more urgently. Patient evaluation should occur as early as possible (usually by three months) following injury. Read more about brachial plexus diagnosis.

Treatment Options

Treatment options depend on the type and severity of the injury. Mild injuries may heal themselves. More serious injuries will require surgery to repair injured nerves. Among the options offered at Mayo are neurolysis, nerve grafts, nerve transfers and muscle transfers. After treatment, patients will be monitored for functional recovery. Read more about treatment of:

• Traumatic injuries
• Infants with Erb's palsy

• Treatment in Arizona
• Treatment in Florida
• Treatment in Minnesota
• Treatment of Children & Adolescents

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About Brachial Plexus Injuries

The brachial plexus is a network of nerves that comes from the spinal cord and controls muscle movements and sensation in the shoulder, arm and hand. Brachial plexus injuries are caused by damage to those nerves. There are multiple types of brachial plexus injuries and treatment is determined by the type of injury.