Brachial Plexus Injuries Flashcards
Upper Brachial Plexus Injuries
C5 and 6 are injured
3 ways to get it :
Fall, Erbs palsy, vaginal birth difficulties
Lower Brachial Plexus Injuries
C8 and T1 Injured
3 ways to get it: Breaking a fall, at birth if the arm is pulled, may result in klumpkes paralysis (claw hand)
What is hyperabduction syndrome?
Prolonged hyperabduction of the arm compresses brachial plexus between head of pec minor and clavicle
Compresses subclavian and or axiallary artery, and or brachial plexus
What is costoclavicular syndrome?
Depression of the shoulders (as in carrying a heavy backpack) may compress the brachial plexus/and or subclavian artery between the clavicle and first rib
What does nerve compression usually present as?
Numbness or tingiling, continued compression may lead to motor losses
What is Thoracic Outlet Syndrome(TOS)?
A general term that describes several situations where the brachial plexus or subclavian artery and/or vein is compressed
What muscles can compress the brachial Plexus?
Pectoralis Minor, Anterior, and middle scalenes
When may thoracic outlet syndrome occur?
If a cervical rib is present
A cervical rib is a full or partial rib emerging from C7 (an error in development)
What is a prefixed brachial plexus?
A brachial plexus that is formed by the ventral rami of C4-C8
What is a post-fixed brachial plexus?
A brachial plexus that is formed by the ventral rami of C6-T2
What may fracture of the Humerus result in?
Nerve injury if sharp edges of bone contact the nerve
What may the fracture of the surgical neck result in?
May injure the axillary nerve which results in the denervation of the deltoid-thus loss of humeral abduction
What may the fracture of the mid shaft of the humerus result in?
May injure the radial nerve which may result in loss of wrist extension commonly called “wrist drop”
