The Main Facts About Brachial Plexus Palsy

Brachial plexus palsy is when the muscles in your arms, shoulders or hands are weakened or paralyzed. The major cause of this is birth. This is an injury to the brachial plexus during birth. But its possible for it to happen at any time. There are four types of brachial plexus injuries, avulsion, neuroma, neuropraxia, and rupture.

Avulsion is the worst type because it is when the nerve is torn from the spine. Neuroma is when the nerve tries to heal but it's unable to because the scar tissue has grown around the injury. Neuropraxia is also known as stretch and this is when the nerve has been damaged but it's not torn, it's less severe of all types. And the last type of brachial plexus injuries is rupture, and this is when the nerve is torn but it's not torn from the spinal attachment. Newborns will need to be properly evaluated to determine whether early surgical repair of injured nerves would be beneficial.

Some symptoms of brachial plexus palsy can be noticed immediately after birth or soon after birth, and these symptoms will included - decreased grip on one side, poor reflex on one side, lack of spontaneous movement in some part of the arm or hand, and one of the arms may be positioned awkwardly.

Each type of brachial plexus is treatable, some will heal on it's own. You can usually expect a full recovery in the first few months of the newborns life. But there are times that it will not heal on it's own. If by the time the newborn is 3 to 6 months does not have his or her strength back in their muscles, then a doctor will need to evaluate the baby and determine if there is need for occupational therapy, physical therapy or even surgery. This type of treatment for brachial plexus palsy is sometimes necessary and in most cases the baby will completely recover.

In a less severe case of this disorder you can help your baby with some simple exercises, such as gently massaging the effected arm with a bit of motion.

Brachial plexus palsy in this day and age is much less common. This is because of the medical advances and caesarian sections. If the birth is difficult the doctor would rather perform a c-section than put you through a difficult labor that can potential harm you and your baby.

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