The brachial plexus is a bundle of nerve fibers that diverge from the spinal cord into each arm. Damage to the brachial nerve--a condition called plexopathy--can occur due to inflammatory injury, birth defects or toxin exposure, reports MedlinePlus from the National Institutes of Health. People who develop brachial nerve damage symptoms should consult a physician for further evaluation and care.
Burning or Stinging
The most common symptom associated with brachial nerve damage is a burning or stinging sensations that shoots down the length of the affected arm. These painful sensations typically arise at the base of the neck and extend down the arm into the hand, explain medical experts with the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. Burning, stinging or painful sensations typically last for a few seconds before subsiding and can be accompanied by a sense of warmth.
Numbness or Weakness
Nerve damage to the brachial plexus can interfere with signal transmission along the affected nerve. When this occurs, people with brachial nerve damage can experience sensations of numbness or weakness within the affected arm. These brachial nerve damage symptoms can affect a person's ability to move or use the affected arm normally. Numbness or weakness can occur sporadically and can persist for several days in cases of severe brachial nerve damage.
Arm Paralysis
If the brachial nerve is severed or irreparably damaged, people can experience temporary or permanent arm paralysis, warn health experts with the Department of Neurosurgery at the University of California Los Angeles. Paralysis can significantly limit a person's ability to voluntarily move the affected arm. While some people may retain the ability to freely move their fingers, they can experience difficulty moving the shoulder muscles. Alternatively, some people can move their shoulder normally, but can no longer voluntarily move their fingers. With prompt medical treatment, some instances of arm paralysis due to brachial nerve damage can be resolved.
