Brachial Plexus Lesions Flashcards
What happens if the long thoracic nerve is damaged?
winged scapula and inability to raise the arm over the head
When does the long thoracic nerve get damaged?
mastectomy
What happens if the suprascapular nerve is damaged?
loss of supra and infraspinatus (weakness on abduction, lateral rotation)
What happens if the thoracodorsal nerve is damaged?
weakness of lats (adduction, internal rotation, extension)
What happens if the axillary nerve is damaged?
loss of shoulder contour, limited abduction, lateral rotation
When does the axillary nerve get damaged?
surgical neck fractures, shoulder dislocations
What happens if the musculocutaneous nerve is damaged?
loss of flexion of elbow, supination, forearm sensation
Where are upper brachial plexus lesions?
C5, C6 roots
Where are lower brachial plexus lesions?
C8, T1 roots
How do upper brachial plexus lesions occur?
excessive strain between head and shoulder
What are common MOI for upper brachial plexus injuries?
football, childbirth, motorcycle accident
How does Erb’s Palsy present?
paralysis of deltoid, supra/infraspinatus, biceps, brachioradialis, supinator
adducted, int rotated, pronated limb
How do lower brachial plexus injuries occur?
limb being pulled superiorly
How does Klumpke Palsy present?
atrophy of intrinsic hand muscles
sensory loss over medial arm/hand
What are common MOI for lower brachial plexus injuries?
childbirth, grabbing a limb to break a fall
How do high median nerve injuries present?
weakening of anterior forearm muscles and lateral hand muscles
can’t flex first 3 fingers
ape hand
How do high median nerve injuries occur?
condylar humeral fractures (cubital fossa)
How does radial nerve injury present?
wrist drop
pronation
loss of sensation between thumb and index finger
How do ulnar nerve lesions present?
weakened intrinsic hand muscles
sensory loss to fingers 4-5
can’t flex fingers 4-5
What nerve roots innervate these muscles: spine to scapula? scapulohumeral? anterior arm? posterior arm? hand? posterior forearm? superficial anterior forearm? deep anterior forearm? brachioradialis and supinator?
C5 C5-6 C5-6 C6-8 C8-T1 C6-8 C6-8 C8-T1 C5-6
