Brachial plexus is a network of nerves that helps in conducting signals from the spine all the way to the shoulder, arm and the hand. When there is an injury to the brachial plexus, the nerves get injured and damaged. When there is a paralysis of the upper brachial plexus, it is called Erb-Duchenne palsy. When there is a paralysis of the lower brachial plexus, the condition is called Dejerine-Klumpke palsy. Even though injuries can occur almost at any time, most brachial plexus injuries tend to happen when the shoulder of a baby becomes impacted at the time of delivery and the brachial nerves tear or stretch.
Most brachial plexus injuries tend to heal by themselves i.e. without treatment. Most children who develop the injury at the time of birth tend to improve or recover by the time they are 3 to 4 months of age. The treatment for brachial plexus injuries includes physical therapy and sometime i.e. in more severe cases, surgery.
Several researches have been and are being carried out to learn further about the different treatment options for brachial plexus injuries, different ways of preventing them.
Read more articles ErbDuchenne and Dejerine Klumpke Palsies.