Shoulder sequelae in children with brachial plexus palsy
Summary box 1 Despite advances in prenatal and obstetrical care, the estimated prevalence of brachial plexus palsy (BPP) remains stable. 2 The goal in the infant is to maintain joint…
Radiographic assessment of adult brachial plexus injuries
Summary box 1 Detection of nerve root avulsion injuries is critical for planning surgical treatment of patients with brachial plexus palsies. 2 Traumatic pseudomeningoceles are no longer regarded as the…
Nerve repair/nerve transfer strategies for adult brachial plexus palsies
Summary box 1 The principles applicable to management of various patterns of stretch injuries provide a logical approach to most brachial plexus palsies. 2 Appropriate injury patterns should be recognized…
Practical application of electrodiagnostic studies to evaluate adult brachial plexus lesions
Summary box Electrodiagnostic studies 1 … are an extension of the clinical examination. 2 … are dynamic. 3 … can diagnose a brachial plexus injury. 4 … identify the location…
Strategies for treating pain
Summary box 1 Brachial plexus injuries are followed by chronic pain in 30–90% of patients. 2 Pain following brachial plexus injuries may be due to neuromas, denervation-reinnervation, avulsion, or musculoskeletal…
Rehabilitation concepts for pediatric brachial plexus palsies
Summary box 1 Maintain passive range of motion in all upper extremity joints—especially shoulder external rotation (in both abduction and adduction) and forearm pronation and supination. 2 Force use of…
Operative neurophysiology of the brachial plexus intraoperative electrodiagnostic studies
Summary box 1 Direct inspection alone in the operating room has been shown repeatedly to be unreliable in assessing the severity of peripheral nerve lesions, especially brachial plexus injuries. Therefore,…
Radiographic assessment in pediatric brachial plexus palsies
Summary Box 1 Early imaging to evaluate injuries associated with neonatal brachial plexus palsies within the first week of life includes radiographs or ultrasonography. 2 At age 3 to 4…
Clinical examination of the patient with brachial plexus palsy
Summary box 1 Brachial plexus and upper extremity musculoskeletal anatomy must be thoroughly understood in order to properly examine, diagnose, and localize brachial plexus injuries. 2 The clinical examination of…
Outcomes of treatment for neonatal brachial plexus palsy
Summary box 1 Comparison of natural history to the outcome of surgical intervention for NBPP is limited by lesion variability, the different assessment paradigms used at different centers, and investigational…
