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An adult brachial plexus injury is the result of a traumatic injury that causes damage to the brachial plexus region of the body (running from each side of the neck down towards the shoulders and back) or an injury that occurred as an infant during a complicated shoulder dystocia birth process. A traumatic adult brachial plexus injury can be the outcome of a car accident, sports injury, slip and fall incident, violence, radiography, or bad surgery. In the United States it is estimated that adult brachial plexus injury accounts for five percent of all peripheral nerve injuries. It is difficult to discern what portion of the population endures these injuries annually because they go largely underreported.
Injury from a contact sport is one of the most common causes of an adult brachial plexus injury. One study found that about one half of all college football players sustain at least one adult brachial plexus injury during play. Other studies have found this number to be closer to sixty, or even ninety, percent of all college football players. Many cases of adult brachial plexus injury go largely underreported because in some cases the symptoms do not last for a significant period of time, or there may be more acute injuries whose care takes precedence over an adult brachial plexus injury.
An adult brachial plexus injury can be identified by a number of symptoms. When a blow to the neck, head, or back causes brachial plexus trauma a person may feel pain or burning in the neck, weakness or heaviness in one or both upper extremities, increased sensitivity to touch, and burning or tingling in the affected area for a few seconds to a few weeks or longer. Types of adult brachial plexus injury include mild stretching, tears, the build up of scar tissue, or rupture and avulsion of the affected nerves.
Depending on the severity of the adult brachial plexus injury, a patient may lose feeling and function in part or all of one or both upper limbs. This loss of sensation and functionality can be a temporary symptom of the adult brachial plexus injury or it can be long term or permanent. In order to diagnose an adult brachial plexus injury, medical specialists can perform an EMG, MRI, or CT Myelogram to determine the nature of the damage. In some cases surgical exploration may also be necessary to identify the nature and severity of an adult brachial plexus injury.
Adult brachial plexus injury treatment will depend on the nature, extent, and severity of a patient’s injury. Some cases of adult brachial plexus injury can be treated with nerve grafting, scar tissue removal, or muscle and tendon release surgery. These surgical options, when appropriate, can significantly improve a patient’s condition. Pain is a major consideration in adult brachial plexus injury cases. Pain management in an adult brachial plexus injury case can include the use of prescription drugs, electric stimulation therapy, massage and other techniques. Exercise and physical therapy can improve range of motion and also reduce pain.
If you or a loved one has suffered an adult brachial plexus injury that was the result of an accident caused by another party’s negligent or willful acts, you may be eligible to seek reparations for your losses. For more information you may wish to contact an attorney.