NINDS Brachial Plexus Injuries Information Page

Synonym(s):   Erb's Palsy

Table of Contents (click to jump to sections)

What are Brachial Plexus Injuries?

The brachial plexus is a network of nerves that conducts signals from the spine to the shoulder, arm, and hand. Brachial plexus injuries are caused by damage to those nerves. Symptoms may include a limp or paralyzed arm; lack of muscle control in the arm, hand, or wrist; and a lack of feeling or sensation in the arm or hand.   Brachial plexus injuries can occur as a result of shoulder trauma, tumors, or inflammation.  There is a rare syndrome called Parsonage-Turner Syndrome, or brachial plexitis, which causes inflammation of the brachial plexus without any obvious shoulder injury.  This syndrome can begin with severe shoulder or arm pain followed by weakness and numbness. In infants, brachial plexus injuries may happen during birth if the baby’s shoulder is stretched during passage in the birth canal (see Brachial Plexus Birth Injuries).   

The severity of a brachial plexus injury is determined by the type of damage done to the nerves.  The most severe type, avulsion, is caused when the nerve root is severed or cut from the spinal cord.  There is also an incomplete form of avulsion in which part of the nerve is damaged and which leaves some opportunity for the nerve to slowly recover function.   Neuropraxia, or stretch injury, is the mildest type of injury   Neuropraxia damages the protective covering of the nerve, which causes problems with nerve signal conduction, but does not always damage the nerve underneath.

Is there any treatment?

What is the prognosis?

What research is being done?

NIH Patient Recruitment for Brachial Plexus Injuries Clinical Trials

• At NIH Clinical Center
• Throughout the U.S. and Worldwide

Organizations

Brachial Plexus Palsy Foundation 210 Springhaven Circle Royersford, PA   19468 contact@brachialplexuspalsyfoundation.org http://www.brachialplexuspalsyfoundation.org Tel: 610-792-4234	National Rehabilitation Information Center (NARIC) 4200 Forbes Boulevard Suite 202 Lanham, MD   20706-4829 naricinfo@heitechservices.com http://www.naric.com Tel: 301-459-5900/301-459-5984 (TTY) 800-346-2742 Fax: 301-562-2401
National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) P.O. Box 1968 (55 Kenosia Avenue) Danbury, CT   06813-1968 orphan@rarediseases.org http://www.rarediseases.org Tel: 203-744-0100 Voice Mail 800-999-NORD (6673) Fax: 203-798-2291	United Brachial Plexus Network 1610 Kent Street Kent, OH   44240 info@ubpn.org http://www.ubpn.org Tel: 866-877-7004 Fax: 866-877-7004
National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) U.S. Department of Education Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services 400 Maryland Ave., S.W. Washington, DC   20202-7100 http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/nidrr Tel: 202-245-7460 202-245-7316 (TTY)

Prepared by:
Office of Communications and Public Liaison
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
National Institutes of Health
Bethesda, MD 20892

NINDS health-related material is provided for information purposes only and does not necessarily represent endorsement by or an official position of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke or any other Federal agency. Advice on the treatment or care of an individual patient should be obtained through consultation with a physician who has examined that patient or is familiar with that patient's medical history.

All NINDS-prepared information is in the public domain and may be freely copied. Credit to the NINDS or the NIH is appreciated.

Last updated September 29, 2008