Brachial Plexus Surgery
Brachial plexus is a group of nerves that come from the spinal cord in the neck and travel down the arm. These nerves control the muscles of the shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand as well as provide feeling in the arm. Brachial Plexus is damaged due to stretching, pressure or cutting.
Types of Brachial Plexus Surgery
Nerve graft
In this procedure, the damaged part of the brachial plexus is removed and replaced with sections of nerves harvested from other parts of your body.
Nerve transfer
When the nerve root has been torn from the spinal cord, surgeons often take a less important nerve that’s still working and connect it to a nerve that’s more important but not working.
Muscle transfer
Muscle transfer is a procedure in which your surgeon removes a less important muscle or tendon from another part of your body, typically the thigh, transfers it to your arm, and reconnects the nerves and blood vessels supplying the muscle.
FAQs
What can cause damage to the brachial plexus?
Brachial plexus is damaged when the arm is forcibly pulled or stretched.
How long does it take for brachial plexus to heal?
Patient’s daily activities are restricted for at least four weeks following surgery, physical therapy for the upper limb is recommended for several months so that nerves and muscles can recover.
Is brachial plexus injury permanent?
Mild injuries of brachial plexus injuries are minor and will completely recover in several weeks. On the other hand severe injuries can cause some permanent disability in the arm.