What Is A Brachial Plexus Injury?
The brachial plexus is a group of nerves that connect to your spinal column at your neck. These nerves control the movement of your arms. An injury to the nerves of the brachial plexus affects muscles in the shoulder, arm, wrist and hand. Children with this injury may demonstrate poor muscle coordination, decreased strength, altered feeling and sensation or paralyzed movement in their
affected arm. Brachial plexus injuries vary, depending on where or what nerve roots were injured.
Brachial plexus injuries may also be called Erb’s Palsy, Klumpke’s Palsy, Brachial Plexus Palsy, Erb-Duchenne’s Palsy or Horner’s Syndrome. Shoulder dystocia and torticollis may be other terms that are sometimes associated with brachial plexus injuries.
What Causes Brachial Plexus Injuries?
These injuries are the result of stretching, tearing or trauma to this group of nerves. Brachial plexus injuries often occur during the birthing process.
Why Is My Child Being Referred For Occupational Therapy?
At Kenny Kids, our pediatric occupational therapists will teach you specific positioning and handling of your child to protect him or her from any further injury. The therapist will also teach you gentle stretching exercises to keep your child’s arm from becoming stiff or difficult to move. As your child’s therapy progresses, you will also learn playful activities to increase your child’s strength and awareness of his or her arm.
What Can I Do At Home?
It is important that your child begin therapy services as soon as possible to prevent his or her arm from becoming stiff or difficult to move.
You can learn about your child’s injury and let others know the best way to hold, move and encourage awareness of your child’s injured arm(s).
You can increase your child’s awareness of his or her arm through gentle touch, lotion massage and water play during bath time.
Avoid lifting your child from under the arms, which will prevent further injury.
Do the gentle range of motion exercises recommended by your therapist two to three times per day.
Learn More About Brachial Plexus Injuries
United Brachial Plexus Network
1610 Kent Street
Kent, OH 44240
866-877-7004 www.ubpn.org
Brachial Plexus Palsy Foundation
210 Spring Haven Circle
Royersford, PA 19468
610-792-4234 www.membrane.com/bpp
Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Institute
Kenny Kids Pediatric Rehabilitation Program
3111 124th Ave. NW
Coon Rapids, MN 55433
763-236-7337
763-236-8966 fax
Source: Sara Rohde, OTR/L,
coordinator of the Kenny Kids program
First published: 06/27/2005
Last updated: 06/27/2005
Reviewed by: Sara Rohde, OTR/L,
coordinator of the Kenny Kids program
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