Brachial Plexus Injury

The brachial plexus is a system of nerves that leads signals from the spinal rope, which is housed in the spinal waterway of the vertebral segment (or spine), to the shoulder, arm and hand. These nerves start in the fifth, 6th, seventh and eighth cervical (C5–C8), and first thoracic (T1) spinal nerves, and innervate the muscles and skin of the mid-section, shoulder, arm and hand. Brachial plexus wounds, or injuries, are brought on by harm to those nerve.

Signs and symptoms may include a limp or paralyzed arm, lack of muscle control in the arm, hand, or wrist, and lack of feeling or sensation in the arm or hand. Although several mechanisms account for brachial plexus injuries, the most common is nerve compression or stretch. Infants, in particular, may suffer brachial plexus injuries during delivery and these present with typical patterns of weakness, depending on which portion of the brachial plexus is involved. The most severe form of injury is nerve root avulsion, which results in complete weakness in corresponding muscles. This usually accompanies high-velocity impacts that occurs during motor vehicle or bicycle accidents.

Despite the few studies that have been conducted in Brazil, it is apparent that there has been a large increase in the number of brachial plexus injuries occurring, which is a consequence of significant increases in the use of motorcycles as a means of transport (1,2). American and European studies have demonstrated that 10 to 20% of peripheral nerve injuries are brachial plexus injuries and that 80 to 90% of these injuries are caused by motorcycle and car accidents (3). In our outpatient clinic at the Hospital das Clínicas de São Paulo, 95% of the cases of brachial plexus injury result from motorcycle accidents.