Brachial plexopathy
Neuropathy - brachial plexus; Brachial plexus dysfunction; Parsonage-Turner syndrome; Pancoast syndromeBrachial plexopathy is a form of peripheral neuropathy. It occurs when there is damage to the brachial plexus. This is a group of nerves that run from the lower neck through the upper shoulder area. These nerves provide the shoulder, arm, and hand with movement and sensation through the radial, median, and ulnar nerves.
Peripheral neuropathy
Peripheral nerves carry information to and from the brain. They also carry signals to and from the spinal cord to the rest of the body. Peripheral n...
Damage to the nerves of the brachial plexus results in pain, decreased movement, or decreased feeling in the arm and shoulder.
Causes
Damage to the brachial plexus may occur due to:
- Direct injury to the nerve
- Stretching injuries (including birth trauma)
Birth trauma
The brachial plexus is a group of nerves around the shoulder. A loss of movement or weakness of the arm may occur if these nerves are damaged. This...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Pressure from tumors in the area (especially from lung tumors)
- Damage from radiation therapy
Radiation therapy
Radiation therapy uses high-powered radiation (such as x-rays or gamma rays), particles, or radioactive seeds to kill cancer cells.
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Brachial plexus dysfunction may also be associated with:
- Birth defects that put pressure on the neck area
- Exposure to toxins, chemicals, or drugs
- General anesthesia, used during surgery
- Inflammatory conditions, such as those due to a virus or immune system problem
In some cases, no cause can be identified.
Symptoms
Symptoms may include:
- Numbness of the shoulder, arm, or hand
Numbness
Numbness and tingling are abnormal sensations that can occur anywhere in your body, but they are often felt in your fingers, hands, feet, arms, or le...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Shoulder pain
Shoulder pain
Shoulder pain is any pain in or around the shoulder joint.
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Tingling, burning, pain, or abnormal sensations (location depends on the area injured)
- Weakness of the shoulder, arm, hand, or wrist
Exams and Tests
An exam of the arm, hand and wrist can reveal a problem with the nerves of the brachial plexus. Signs may include:
- Deformity of the arm or hand
- Difficulty moving the shoulder, arm, hand, or fingers
- Diminished arm reflexes
- Wasting of the muscles
- Weakness of hand flexing
A detailed history may help determine the cause of the brachial plexopathy. Age and sex are important, because some brachial plexus problems are more common in certain groups. For example, young men more often have inflammatory or post-viral brachial plexus disease called Parsonage-Turner syndrome.
Tests that may be done to diagnose this condition include:
- Blood tests
- Chest x-ray
- Electromyography (EMG) to check the muscles and nerves that control the muscles
EMG
Electromyography (EMG) is a test that checks the health of the muscles and the nerves that control the muscles.
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - MRI of the head, neck, and shoulder
- Nerve conduction to check how fast electrical signals move through a nerve
Nerve conduction
Nerve conduction velocity (NCV) is a test to see how fast electrical signals move through a nerve. This test is done along with electromyography (EM...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Nerve biopsy to examine a piece of nerve under the microscope (rarely needed)
Nerve biopsy
A nerve biopsy is the removal of a small piece of a nerve for examination.
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Ultrasound
Treatment
Treatment is aimed at correcting the underlying cause and allowing you to use your hand and arm as much as possible. In some cases, no treatment is needed and the problem gets better on its own.
Treatment options include any of the following:
- Medicines to control pain
- Physical therapy to help maintain muscle strength.
- Braces, splints, or other devices to help you use your arm
- Nerve block, in which medicine is injected into the area near the nerves to reduce pain
- Surgery to repair the nerves or remove something pressing on the nerves
You may need occupational therapy or counseling to suggest changes in the workplace.
Medical conditions such as diabetes and kidney disease can damage nerves. In these cases, treatment is also directed at the underlying medical condition.
Outlook (Prognosis)
A good recovery is possible if the cause is found and properly treated. In some cases, there is partial or complete loss of movement or sensation. Nerve pain may be severe and may last for a long time.
Possible Complications
Complications may include:
- Deformity of the hand or arm, mild to severe, which can lead to contractures
Contractures
A contracture develops when the normally stretchy (elastic) tissues are replaced by nonstretchy (inelastic) fiber-like tissue. This tissue makes it ...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Partial or complete arm paralysis
Paralysis
Muscle function loss is when a muscle does not work or move normally. The medical term for complete loss of muscle function is paralysis.
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Partial or complete loss of sensation in the arm, hand, or fingers
- Recurrent or unnoticed injury to the hand or arm due to diminished sensation
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Contact your health care provider if you experience pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness in the shoulder, arm, or hand.
References
Chad DA, Bowley MP. Disorders of nerve roots and plexuses. In: Jankovic J, Mazziotta JC, Pomeroy SL, Newman NJ, eds. Bradley and Daroff's Neurology in Clinical Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 105.
Waldman SD. Cervicothoracic interspinous bursitis. In: Waldman SD, ed. Atlas of Uncommon Pain Syndromes. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 23.
Central nervous system and peripheral nervous system - illustration
The central nervous system comprises the brain and spinal cord. The peripheral nervous system includes nerves outside the brain and spinal cord.
Central nervous system and peripheral nervous system
illustration
Brachial plexus - illustration
The brachial plexus is a group of nerves that originate from the neck region and branch off to give rise to most of the nerves that control movement in the upper limb. Injuries to the brachial plexus are common and can be debilitating. If the injury is severe it can cause weakness or paralysis of the entire upper limb.
Brachial plexus
illustration
Central nervous system and peripheral nervous system - illustration
The central nervous system comprises the brain and spinal cord. The peripheral nervous system includes nerves outside the brain and spinal cord.
Central nervous system and peripheral nervous system
illustration
Brachial plexus - illustration
The brachial plexus is a group of nerves that originate from the neck region and branch off to give rise to most of the nerves that control movement in the upper limb. Injuries to the brachial plexus are common and can be debilitating. If the injury is severe it can cause weakness or paralysis of the entire upper limb.
Brachial plexus
illustration
Review Date: 5/2/2022
Reviewed By: Amit M. Shelat, DO, FACP, FAAN, Attending Neurologist and Assistant Professor of Clinical Neurology, Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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