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- Brachial plexus injuries are
injuries affecting the network of nerves that
control the muscles of the shoulder, arm, elbow,
wrist, hand and fingers. Brachial plexus injuries
can result in full to partial paralysis of one or
both (bilateral) arms.
- Stretching, tearing or other
trauma can cause injury to the nerves of the
brachial plexus.
- Brachial plexus injuries
often occur during the birthing process.
Availability of brachial plexus statistics vary
widely, but where figures are available the general
consensus is that brachial plexus injuries occur in
2-5 out of 1000 births.
- More children suffer from
brachial plexus injuries sustained at birth than
Down Syndrome or Muscular Dystrophy—yet
information on this disability is not so readily
obtained.
- Other causes of brachial
plexus injuries include: automobile, motorcycle or
boating accidents; sports injuries (known as “burners”
or “stingers”); animal bites; gunshot or
puncture wounds; as a result of specific medical
treatments / procedures / and surgeries; or due to
viral diseases.
- Adults who incur traumatic
brachial plexus injuries often suffer from severe
and chronic pain and struggle to find support,
information and adequate medical care.
- Brachial plexus injuries
occur 10-20 times more frequently than spinal cord
injuries.
- Regardless of causation, it
is essential that treatment for a brachial plexus
injury be obtained as soon as possible from
qualified, experienced medical professionals who
specialize in treating brachial plexus injuries.
- While each injury is unique,
some individuals may benefit from surgical
intervention. Several specialized brachial plexus
clinics around the world utilize a variety of
cutting-edge operative approaches in attempting to
maximize an individual’s function.
- Many families and
individuals with brachial plexus injuries face
ongoing struggles with insurance companies to obtain
coverage for treatment related to their disability.
Most insurance companies are unaware or do not
understand the treatment protocol for brachial
plexus injuries.
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