The document discusses brachial plexus injuries, detailing anatomy, mechanism, classification, clinical features, investigations, and management approaches. It highlights various types of injuries, such as avulsion, rupture, and neuroma, alongside associated risk factors and symptoms like Erb's and Klumpke's palsy. The management includes conservative treatments, surgical options, and physiotherapy strategies aimed at restoring function and alleviating pain.
Dr. Chandan Verma introduces the topic of brachial plexus injury, outlining his role and institution.
An outline of the key topics to be covered, including anatomy, etiology, mechanism of injury, classification, clinical features, investigation, and management.
The brachial plexus is essential for motor and sensory supply to the shoulder girdle and upper limb.
Details on the formation of the brachial plexus from cervical and thoracic nerve roots, responsible for upper extremity muscle innervation.
Different types of brachial plexus injuries: avulsion, rupture, neuroma, and neurapraxia, each varying in severity and characteristics.
The slide discusses risk factors such as shoulder dystocia, maternal diabetes, and others that may contribute to brachial plexus injuries.
Erb's Palsy affects C5, C6, and sometimes C7; characterized by arm positioning and weak muscle function in the upper limb.
Klumpke Palsy and Horner Syndrome symptoms; Klumpke involves lower plexus injuries, while Horner’s affects eye functions due to nerve damage.
Describes methods for diagnosing brachial plexus injuries, including CT scans, MRIs, X-rays, and electromyography.
Strategies for managing injuries, focusing on both conservative and surgical approaches.
Outlines the objectives of conservative treatments like maintaining range of motion, muscle strengthening, and pain management.
Details on three stages of conservative treatment: early, intermediate, and late stages, with specific interventions for each.
Description of an aeroplane splint's function in maintaining the correct position for patients with Erb’s Palsy.
A dynamic splint is prescribed for Klumpke palsy to support wrist and finger positioning.
Various surgical options for brachial plexus injuries including neurolysis, neuroma excision, nerve grafting, and isolated nerve transfers.
Rehabilitation post-surgery focusing on stabilization, exercises, stimulation, and movement progressions to regain function.
A closing thank you note, concluding the presentation on brachial plexus injuries.
Contents :-
anatomy
Etiology
Mechanism of injury
Classification
Clinical features
Investigation
Management
3.
Brachial plexus,amajor source of motor and sensory supply to the
shoulder girdle,the Upper trunk and the whole of Upper limb.
4.
The brachialplexus (plexus brachialis) is a somatic nerve plexus formed
by intercommunications among the ventral rami (roots) of the lower 4
cervical nerves (C5-C8) and the first thoracic nerve (T1).
The plexus is responsible for the motor innervation of all of the muscles of
the upper extremity, with the exception of the trapezius(SAN & C3,C4) and
levator scapula(C3,C4 & C5DSN).
6.
Avulsion
The nerveis torn away from its attachment at the
spinal cord; the most severe type. An eyelid droop
suggests an avulsion of the lower brachial plexus
(Horner's syndrome).
Rupture
The nerve is torn, but not at the spinal cord
attachment.
Neuroma
Scar tissue has grown around the injury site,
putting pressure on the injured nerve and
preventing the nerve from sending signals to the
muscles.
Neurapraxia
The nerve has been stretched and damaged but
not torn.
Types of Brachical Plexus Injury
7.
Risk factor ofBrachial Plexus Injury
Shoulder dystocia (the baby's shoulder being restricted
on the mother's pelvis)
Maternal diabetes
Large gestational size
Difficult delivery needing external assistance
Prolonged labor
Breech presentation at birth
Over half of brachial plexus Injuries have no known risk
factors
13.
Injury ofbrachial plexus
Upper trunk injury
Erb's Palsy
•C5, C6 and sometimes C7 nerves are involved
•Often presents with arm straight and wrist fully bent
(waiter's tip)
•May have good hand function but not full movement
of the arm
•May have instability of the shoulder joint
•Often presents with weak biceps and deltoid
muscles (unable to bend elbow or lift arm at the
shoulder)
•Includes about 75 percent of all brachial plexus
Horner Syndrome
•Result ofnerve damage affecting the eye including
constriction of the pupil (miosis) and eye drooping (ptosis)
•Sometimes seen with nerve root avulsions of the brachial
plexus
Global Palsy
•All five nerves of the brachial plexus are involved (C5-T1)
Presents with no movement at the shoulder, arm or hand
•May have no sensations throughout the arm
Conservative treatment-
Aims-
tomaintain the rom of the extremit
to strengthen the remaining functional muscle
to protect the denervated dermatome
To manage pain
1. In earlystage-
Nsaids and opioid drugs are useful during the early
stage but do not appear to help with
neuropathic pain which requires antiepileptic or
antidepressants.
Splinting- to avoid soft tissue contracture.
Passive range of motion to prevent contracture.
To control oedema-limb elevation with supportive
orthosis
-gentle effleurage
-cOmpressive Elastic bandage
24.
2. Intermediate stage-(afterthree weeks)
Exercises to re-educate movement should be initiated.
Weaker movement are repeated with self resistive
movement.
PNF movement can be used to strengthen the various
muscle group.
Electrical stimulation for the paralyzed muscle.
Technique like icing and brushing can be effective.
Tens can be used to reduce pain.
25.
Late stage-(after 2years)
In this period,most of the recovery Would have takes place.
If the recovery is still,it may be necessary to plan for the possible
reconstructive surgery.
26.
Aeroplane splintfor
erb’s palsy-this
maintains the
shoulder in abduction
and external
rotation,elbow in 90°
flexion,forearm in
supination and wrist
in a few degree of
extension.
27.
For klumpkepalsy a dynamic splint is given
to maintain the wrist and metacarpo-
phalaNgeal joint in flexion, inter-Phalangeal
Joint in slight flexion and the thumb in
flexion and opposition.
28.
Surgical treatment
Neurolysis
Removal ofthe constrictive scar tissue surrounding the nerve.
Neuroma Excision
When the neuroma is large it must be removed and the nerve is then reattached either with end-to-end techniques or with nerve
grafts.
Nerve Grafting
When the gap between the nerve ends is so large that it is not possible to have a tension-free repair using the end-to-end
technique, nerve grafting is used.
Neurotization
This is used generally in those cases where there is an avulsion. Donor nerves are used for the repair. The parts of the roots
still attached to the spinal cord can be used as donors for avulsed nerves.
Isolated Nerve Transfers
•Isolated transfer may be completed up to 12-18 months of age
•A nearby healthy nerve is attached to the damaged nerve, closer to the target muscle
Additional procedures are available to improve the overall function of the affected limb.
Procedures include:
•Arthroscopic surgery and other minimally invasive techniques
•Tendon transfers
•Muscle transfers
29.
Physiotherapy treatment aftersurgery
Proper splint to stabilize the transplanted muscle
Electrical stimulation
Biofeedback exercises
Self assisted and functional movement
Relaxed passive movement, active assisted movement,
progresses to resisted exercises
Active exercises and gripping exercises