The brachial plexus is a group of nerve fibers running from your spine through your armpit and down both arms. This group of nerves innervates nearly your entire upper arm. An injury to the brachial plexus can be debilitating and sometimes permanent. It is essential that you seek immediate medical attention after injuring your brachial plexus. Depending on the severity of the injury, you may temporarily lose all or partial function in the muscles that it innervates. Recovery from such an injury can take months and progresses in stages.
Stage 1
Depending on the severity of your injury, the acute stage may last days to weeks. In the acute stage, pain and swelling around your upper arm and shoulder must be treated. This may require temporary immobilization with the help of a splint or a sling. Your doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving medications to control swelling and pain in the affected area. Ice may also be used in the acute stage to further reduce swelling and discomfort.
Stage 2
The second stage should begin as soon as possible following the acute stage of injury. In this stage, your physical therapist may have you perform both passive and active range of motion exercises. Passive range of motion exercise involves the physical therapist manually moving your arm through its range of motion. Active range of motion exercise involves you moving your arm through its range of motion by yourself. These movements are almost always done without resistance and in a controlled setting.
Stage 3
After you have regained some mobility back in your injured arm, you may begin light resistance training exercises. After a nerve injury, the muscles that the nerve innervates may atrophy. This means that your muscles may lose both size and strength due to non-use. Your physical therapist may use specific resistance training exercises to rebuild muscle tissue in the muscles that have been adversely affected by damaging your brachial plexus.
Stage 4
The final stage includes returning to normal daily activity. Depending on the severity of the injury, this can take weeks, months or years. In some cases, the nerve damage may be permanent. Regardless of the severity of your injury, your physical therapist may require that you continue with the passive and active range of motion exercises as well as the resistance training exercises even after you have returned to normal activity. Discuss with your physician what long-term treatment is best for you.
References
- "Essentials Of Athletic Training"; Daniel D. Arnheim and William E. Prentice, 2002
- "Therapeutic Exercise: Foundations and Techniques (5th edition)"; Carolyn Kisner and Lynn Colby; 2007
