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Brachial plexus injury is a type of nerve root injury affecting the nerves in the cervical region of the spine. Brachial plexus injury can be the result of a birth complication or trauma caused by a sports injury, traffic accident, violence, a slip and fall, radiotherapy, surgery or some other cause of physical trauma. When a victim suffers a brachial plexus injury that is the result of another person’s negligent or malicious actions, s/he may be eligible to seek damage compensation through a personal injury lawsuit.
A brachial plexus injury can be the outcome of complications during the birth process. Shoulder dystocia is the most common complication that results in a brachial plexus injury. Shoulder dystocia occurs when the baby’s shoulder becomes impacted on the mother’s pelvic bone. In some cases, a brachial plexus injury from shoulder dystocia is a medical event that can be prevented or resolved with adherence to proper medical protocol. Sometimes this type of brachial plexus injury is the product of medical negligence on behalf of a medical professional.
When a young baby suffers a brachial plexus injury, they may experience numbness or loss of function in the upper extremities. Most often a brachial plexus injury affects only one arm, though a bilateral brachial plexus injury is possible. In many cases, a brachial plexus injury will heal greatly within the first five months of life. In other cases, a brachial plexus injury may require surgery in order to correct the damage.
A brachial plexus injury can also be caused by some source of trauma at any age. Football players are a population especially prone to brachial plexus injury accidents. Some studies report brachial plexus injury prevalence among college and professional football players anywhere between 49 to 87 percent. The common mechanisms for a brachial plexus injury include: traction due to flexion of the neck away from the affected side, direct impact to the Erb point leading to compression of the nerves, and neck hyperextension or ipsilateral rotation leading to nerve compression.
When a person sustains a traumatic brachial plexus injury, the following symptoms can last a few seconds to a few weeks: pain or a burning sensation in the neck, increased sensitivity or pain with touch, weakness or heaviness in the affected limb, or any other burning, or tingling in the affected area. Because of these symptoms, a brachial plexus injury is commonly referred to as “stinger” or “burn” syndrome. Some patients can develop chronic burner syndrome from repeated blows to the head, shoulder, or Erb point.
In more minor cases, a brachial plexus injury will heal and respond well to treatment. In other cases, a brachial plexus injury can lead to difficult recovery and long term or permanent loss of feeling or functioning in the affected extremity. Pain and disability are the two major problems that need to be properly addressed in patients with a significant brachial plexus injury. Surgery is necessary in some brachial plexus injury cases.
If you or a loved one has suffered a brachial plexus injury, you may wish to speak with a qualified and experienced attorney who can help you discover your rights and options.
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