Shoulder nerve injury

Description

Brachial plexus injury or shoulder nerve injury. Brachial plexus is the group of spinal nerves that goes from lower part of the neck through the upper part of the shoulder to the arm. The injury appears when these nerves are stretched or torn during traumatic injury. Sports falls and car accidents are the most frequent cause in adults. Children of early age can suffer damage during delivery. The injury causes pain, numbness and weakness in arm and shoulder. Many patients with this disorder will be cured without any specific treatment.

Symptoms

Neck pain, pain in the shoulder, pain in the arm, numbness, weakness, burning sensation, pain that „strikes” in the arm from neck or back, pain that is increased with movement or during the night.

Overview

Anamnesis will be taken and medical examination will be done. CT scan and / or MRI-magnetic resonance imaging can identify the injury. The examinations of the nerves could be done for defining the damages.

Tests

CT scan and magnetic resonance (MRI).

Additional analyses

Examination of nerve conduction, electromyography.

Specialists

Sports medicine

Therapy

Treatment depends on the level of disease. Medicines for pain include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as brufen or naproxen, narcotics, and anticonvulsants. Sometimes surgical proceeding will be necessary for treatment of damaged nerves, which should be done before muscle atrophy, generally speaking within the period of 3 months from the injury.