Brachial Plexus Injury: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment And Cost

Damage to the network of nerves that transmits impulses from the spine to the shoulder, arm, and hand is known as a brachial plexus injury.

These are some examples of brachial plexus injuries:

• Erb's Palsy: The most typical brachial plexus injury is this one. It occurs when the brachial plexus nerves in the neck are stretched or torn, leading to paralysis of the arm and shoulder muscles on one side of the body.
• Klumpke's Palsy: On one side of the body, this particular brachial plexus injury affects both the upper and lower arm. Due to injury to the lower nerve roots, it might result in loss of sensation and movement in the hand, wrist, and forearm.
• Horner's Syndrome: This is an uncommon type of brachial plexus injury caused by damage to a single nerve root in the neck. It can lead to drooping of one eyelid, decreased sweat production on one side of the face, and constriction of small blood vessels in the affected area.
• Neuroma Injury: This type of brachial plexus injury occurs when a nerve root is damaged or severed, causing it to become inflamed or swollen.As a result, the afflicted region may experience discomfort, numbness, tingling, and muscular weakness.

Mainly Brachial Plexus injury can be caused due to:

• Brachial plexus injuries are most commonly caused by trauma to the shoulder area, such as a fall or motor vehicle accident.
• Other causes of brachial plexus injury include birth injury (from a difficult delivery), tumor growth in the neck, and infection or inflammation of the brachial plexus nerves.
• In some cases, a brachial plexus injury can be caused by repetitive motion of the arm, such as in certain sports or jobs that involve repetitive overhead motion with the arms.
• Radiation treatment administered to the neck and shoulder region for certain forms of cancer may, in rare instances, result in brachial plexus damage.

The signs of a damaged brachial plexus are:

• Pain: Injury to the brachial plexus may result in excruciating pain in the arm, neck, and shoulder. From a burning feeling to a severe, stabbing ache, the discomfort might vary.
• Weakness: Another typical sign of brachial plexus damage is weakness or paralysis in the injured region. This may cause decreased movement or difficulty controlling the affected body part.
• Numbness: People with brachial plexus injury may experience numbness in the affected arm or hand. A tingling sensation or total loss of feeling in the region might result from this.
• Loss of sensation: Loss of sensation is also common with brachial plexus injuries, especially if there is nerve damage present. This can cause a person to not be able to feel tactile sensations such as pressure, temperature, and vibration on the skin in the affected area.
• Muscle atrophy: Muscle atrophy is a common symptom of brachial plexus injury, particularly if it results from nerve damage and lack of use due to paralysis or weakness in the area.

Following are the ways to Prevent Brachial Plexus injury:

• Pay attention to safety measures when lifting heavy objects: Always lift with your legs and not your back, and do not attempt to lift anything that is too heavy for you.
• Wear a seatbelt when riding in a car: In the case of a collision, using a seatbelt may help lower the chance of brachial plexus damage.
• Avoid activities that involve forceful stretching of the arms: This includes contact sports such as football, rugby, basketball, and wrestling.
• Use proper technique during sports and exercise: When playing sports or exercising, always use proper technique to ensure that no unnecessary force is placed on your arms or shoulders.
• Take regular breaks when working with vibrating tools: Vibrating tools such as saws and drills can cause repetitive strain injuries if used for extended periods of time without taking regular breaks.

Diagnosis and Test of Brachial Plexus injury are:

• Physical Examination: The physical examination is usually the first step in diagnosing a brachial plexus injury. During the examination, a doctor will check for signs of weakness or paralysis in the affected arm, along with muscle atrophy, sensory disturbances and other neurological deficits.
• X-ray: An X-ray may be ordered to determine if there are any fractures or dislocations of the shoulder area that could have caused the brachial plexus injury.
• MRI Scan: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can provide detailed images of the brachial plexus and its surrounding structures which can help to diagnose a brachial plexus injury more accurately.
• Electromyography (EMG): This test measures the electrical activity of muscles in order to detect nerve damage or interference with nerve signals sent from the brain to the muscles in order to produce movement.
• Nerve Conduction Study: This test measures how well and how fast electrical signals travel through a nerve by sending tiny electrical impulses through electrodes placed on the skin near nerves and measuring how quickly they are conducted down a nerve's pathway.
• Ultrasound: Ultrasound imaging can provide an accurate evaluation of muscle and soft tissue damage related to brachial plexus injuries as well as reveal any bony abnormalities associated with them.

The possible complication of Brachial Plexus injury are:

• Nerve damage: Damage to the brachial plexus can lead to paralysis of the affected arm, and loss of feeling in the arm, hand, and fingers.
• Pain: Patients with brachial plexus injuries may experience severe pain in their arms, shoulders and neck.
• Muscle weakness: Brachial plexus injuries can cause weakness in the affected arm, which may reduce a person's ability to lift objects or perform other activities that require strength.
• Joint stiffness: Brachial plexus injuries can lead to stiffness in the shoulder, elbow and wrist joints due to lack of movement in the affected area.
• Poor circulation: Poor circulation in the affected arm may occur due to decreased nerve activity. This can lead to swelling and discoloration of the skin as well as numbness and tingling sensations.
• Infection: Injuries to the brachial plexus can increase a person's risk for infection due to reduced blood flow in the affected area.

Home remedies for Brachial Plexus injury are given below:

• 'Pinda Sweda: Pinda Sweda is an Ayurvedic therapy that involves using boluses of warm medicated oil or herbal paste placed on specific areas of the body to relieve pain and inflammation in the affected area. This therapy is particularly beneficial for relieving pain and discomfort associated with Brachial Plexus Injury.
• Kati Basti: Kati basti is an Ayurvedic therapy in which a shallow pit is made on the lower back and filled with warm medicated oil or herbal paste. This treatment aids in improving blood circulation, easing pain and stiffness in the afflicted region, and reducing muscular spasms.
• Abhyanga: Abhyanga is an Ayurvedic massage technique that involves massaging warm medicated oil or herbal paste into the skin in a specific pattern to improve circulation, reduce inflammation, and promote relaxation of the muscles and tissues around the affected area.
• Nadi Sweda: Nadi sweda is an Ayurvedic therapy that involves using hot compresses over specific points on the body to stimulate circulation, reduce inflammation, and relieve tension in the affected area. This therapy can be particularly beneficial for relieving pain associated with Brachial Plexus Injury.

Given below are some diets to be followed for Brachial Plexus Injury:

• Foods that are high in protein, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants are important for repairing damaged nerve tissue.
• Consuming meals rich in omega-3 fatty acids may aid in reducing the swelling and agony brought on by the injury. Omega-3s are abundant in foods including chia seeds, flaxseed oil, walnuts, mackerel, salmon, and mackerel.
• Foods rich in vitamin B12 are also beneficial for repairing nerve tissue. These include eggs, dairy products, clams, salmon, organ meats (e.g., liver), and fortified cereals and bread.
• Collagen is necessary for mending tissues injured by brachial plexus injuries, and vitamin C aids in its formation. Vitamin C-rich foods include citrus fruits (oranges, limes, lemons), strawberries, bell peppers, broccoli, kale, papaya, and Brussels sprouts.
• Zinc is a mineral that helps rebuild damaged nerve tissue so it should be included in your diet after a brachial plexus injury recovery as well. Excellent sources of zinc include oysters, beef chuck roast or steak (grass-fed is best), pumpkin seeds and dark chocolate (at least 70% cocoa).

Food that should be avoided in Brachial Plexus Injury:

• Foods that are difficult to swallow or chew: These can pose a risk of aspiration, which can lead to aspiration pneumonia.
• High-fat, greasy and fried foods: High-fat and greasy foods can be more difficult to digest and may increase the risk for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
• Caffeinated and carbonated beverages: Caffeine and carbonation stimulate the stomach and may cause abdominal distention or discomfort in some individuals.
• Dairy products: Dairy products like milk, yogurt, cheese, or ice cream may cause bloating, flatulence, and abdominal discomfort in some individuals with brachial plexus injury.
• Alcoholic beverages: Alcohol may worsen weariness, sleepiness, and disorientation because it has a depressive impact on the neurological system.It is best avoided when recovering from a brachial plexus injury.

Treatment of Brachial Plexus is as follows:

• Nerve Grafting: A nerve grafting procedure involves taking a healthy nerve from another part of the body and surgically connecting it to the damaged nerve in order to restore feeling and movement.
• Nerve Decompression: This is a procedure that involves surgically removing pressure from the damaged nerve in order to reduce inflammation and pain caused by compression.
• Neurorrhaphy: This is a surgical method used to repair the damaged brachial plexus nerves. It involves suturing the two ends of a damaged nerve together, creating an electrical connection between them which can help restore normal function.
• Neurolysis: This procedure involves surgically cutting away scar tissue that has built up around the brachial plexus nerves, which can help relieve compression and ease pain or paralysis associated with brachial plexus injury.
• Nerve Transfers: This technique involves transferring healthy nerves from other areas of the body to replace the injured ones in order to regain function in the affected area.

The doctor that should be consulted for Brachial Plexus Injury is given below:

• The best doctor to consult for a brachial plexus injury is an orthopedic surgeon or a neurologist.
• Orthopedic surgeons are specialists in musculoskeletal conditions and can assess the extent of the injury and recommend treatment options such as surgery, physical therapy, or other treatments.
• Neurologists specialize in conditions of the nervous system and can diagnose and treat neurological disorders, including those caused by brachial plexus injuries.
• Both types of specialists can provide advice on lifestyle changes and therapies that may help reduce pain and improve mobility after a brachial plexus injury.

The best medicines for Brachial Plexus are given below:

• Analgesics: These medications are used to reduce pain, such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen.
• Neuroprotective Agents: These drugs help protect nerve cells from further damage, such as memantine and amantadine.
• Antispasmodics: Certain medications, including baclofen and tizanidine, aid in muscular relaxation and decrease spasms.
• Antidepressants: These drugs help reduce feelings of depression, such as fluoxetine and citalopram.
• Muscle Relaxants: These medications are used to relax tight muscles, such as diazepam and cyclobenzaprine.
• Anti-Inflammatories: These medicines help reduce inflammation in the affected area, such as prednisone and naproxen sodium.
• Anticonvulsants: These drugs help control seizures caused by nerve damage, such as phenytoin and carbamazepine.

Recovering from Brachial Plexus can be seen in the following ways:

• Generally, it can take several months to years of physical therapy and other treatments to recover from this type of injury.
• In some cases, a person may need surgery to repair the nerve damage, which could add additional time for recovery.
• In milder cases, physical therapy alone may be enough for recovery, with rehabilitation taking anywhere from several weeks to several months.
• Additionally, some people may not fully recover from a brachial plexus injury and long-term effects are possible.

Depending on how severe the damage was, different treatments have different outcomes for brachial plexus injuries.

In some cases, surgery can provide a permanent solution, while in other cases physical therapy and rehabilitation may be needed to achieve the best possible outcome.

Post-Treatment Guidelines For Brachial Plexus Injury are:

• Post-treatment guidelines for brachial plexus injuries include avoiding activities that put a strain on the affected shoulder or arm, such as lifting heavy objects or doing strenuous activities.
• Physical therapy is often advised to assist the afflicted arm restore strength and range of motion as well as to aid with balance and coordination issues.
• Patients should also seek out specialized treatment such as nerve blocks, electrical stimulation, and stem cell therapy in order to reduce pain and inflammation, improve muscle function and promote nerve regeneration.
• It is also important to maintain good posture while recovering from a brachial plexus injury; this can help reduce pain and prevent further damage to the nerves.
• Additionally, adequate nutrition is essential for healing; patients should ensure they are eating a balanced diet with plenty of protein and healthy fats in order to support tissue repair and nerve regeneration.

The cost of Brachial Plexus Injury Treatment in India is given below:

• Generally, initial treatments such as physical therapy and medications can range from Rs. 3,000 to Rs. 20,000.
• Surgery may be required for more severe cases, which can cost up to Rs. 1 lakh or more depending on the type of procedure.
• Follow-up care and rehabilitation may also add to the overall cost.

The side-effect of Brachial Plexus Injury treatment is given in points below:

• Surgery: Increased risk of infection, nerve damage, muscle weakness, and paralysis.
• Physical Therapy: Pain, fatigue, and swelling in the affected area.
• Medication: Nausea, dizziness, headache, skin rash, or itching.
• Stem Cell Therapy: Pain at the injection site and potential allergic reaction to stem cell therapy.

Brachial plexus injuries can result in complications like 'pain, nerve damage, infection, etc.,' for which treatment regimens can last anywhere from a few months to years, depending on the severity of the situation. If you are experiencing any complications related to this injury, you should see a doctor in your area right away.