{"id":576,"date":"2020-02-19T19:53:00","date_gmt":"2020-02-19T19:53:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/maryfreebed.com?post_type=conditions&#038;p=576"},"modified":"2025-11-20T19:06:56","modified_gmt":"2025-11-20T19:06:56","slug":"brachial-plexus","status":"publish","type":"conditions","link":"https:\/\/www.maryfreebed.com\/kids\/conditions\/brachial-plexus\/","title":{"rendered":"Brachial Plexus"},"content":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"featured_media":0,"menu_order":9,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":""},"tags":[793,110,414,791,792],"modal_window":[17],"class_list":["post-576","conditions","type-conditions","status-publish","hentry","tag-brachial-plexus","tag-kids","tag-mary-free-bed","tag-rehab","tag-rehabilitation-hospital","modal_window-home-conditions-services"],"acf":{"kids_branding":true,"title_override":"Brachial Plexus","individual_page_toggle":true,"overview_tab":{"tab_title":"Overview","body_sections":[{"acf_fc_layout":"wysiwyg","section_options":{"wrapper_width":"","custom_class":"","section_id":""},"content_editor":"<h2>Overview<\/h2>\r\nA brachial plexus injury is a nerve injury that can cause muscle weakness in your child\u2019s arm or hand, affecting everyday activities such as play, school and self-care. The brachial plexus is a network of nerves that originates in the spinal cord and extends through the neck, shoulder and arm. These nerves control movement and sensation in the upper extremities, including the shoulder, arm and hand.\r\n\r\nInjuries to the brachial plexus can occur for several reasons, including trauma, birth injuries and tumors. The severity and type of injury can vary widely\u2014from mild nerve stretching to complete nerve detachment.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h2>Types of Brachial Plexus Injuries<\/h2>\r\nThe most common types of brachial plexus injuries include:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Neurapraxia: The least severe type, involving temporary disruption of nerve fibers. Symptoms include weakness, numbness and tingling in the affected limb, often resolving within weeks or months.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Neuropraxia: This slightly more severe injury also disrupts nerve fibers but requires a longer recovery time\u2014sometimes several months.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Rupture: A complete tear of the nerve fibers, resulting in total loss of muscle function in the affected limb.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Avulsion: The most severe type, involving detachment of the nerve from the spinal cord. Often caused by trauma, this type of injury has a poor prognosis for recovery.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h2>Medical Causes<\/h2>\r\nThe brachial plexus\u2014a bundle of nerves in the neck area of the spinal cord\u2014can be injured in different ways. In children, brachial plexus injuries most often occur during birth due to stretching or compression of the nerves.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h2>Treatment Options<\/h2>\r\nTreatment for brachial plexus injuries depends on the severity of the injury and which nerves are affected.\r\n<h2><\/h2>\r\n<h2>Surgical Interventions<\/h2>\r\nIn some cases, nerve repair may be possible, involving surgical reattachment or repair of the damaged nerve fibers. More severe cases may require nerve grafts or nerve transfers to restore function.\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Nerve Transfers: A healthy nerve, such as the thoracic nerve, may be transferred to restore arm and hand function. The transferred nerve connects to remaining healthy nerve fibers, helping regain muscle movement.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Nerve Grafts: A healthy nerve from another part of the body is grafted onto the damaged nerve fibers, acting as a bridge to restore function.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nThe approach depends on the type and severity of the injury, as well as the surgical goals. Recovery timelines can vary greatly\u2014from several months to years\u2014depending on injury level, patient factors and surgical techniques.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignnone wp-image-118600 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.maryfreebed.com\/kids\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/main_hospital_exteriors_oct_2023-9722.jpg\" alt=\"MFB main hospital exterior\" width=\"1800\" height=\"1201\" \/>\r\n<h2>Rehabilitation and Recovery<\/h2>\r\nRehabilitation with physical therapists or occupational therapists plays a vital role in recovery after brachial plexus surgery or injury. The goal is to restore as much strength, range of motion and function as possible in the affected arm, shoulder and hand. Conservative treatments may include:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.maryfreebed.com\/specialties\/physical-therapy\/\">Physical<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.maryfreebed.com\/specialties\/occupational-therapy\/\">occupational therapy<\/a> to improve strength and mobility<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Bracing to stretch and maintain range of motion<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nTherapists may also recommend specialized interventions such as:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Splinting<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Massage therapy<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Kinesiotaping<\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.maryfreebed.com\/specialties\/physical-therapy\/aquatic-therapy\/\">Pool therapy<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li>Threshold electrical stimulation (TES)<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES)<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nIf the injury is severe or not expected to improve with conservative care, your child may be referred for surgical consultation\r\n\r\nMary Free Bed Kids brachial plexus rehabilitation services are available with a prescription from your child\u2019s physician.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h2>Physical and Occupational Therapy<\/h2>\r\nPhysical therapy is a cornerstone of rehabilitation after a brachial plexus nerve graft.\r\n\r\nOccupational therapy focuses on helping your child adapt daily activities\u2014dressing, grooming, eating and play\u2014using the affected arm. Your Mary Free Bed therapist will guide exercises to improve range of motion, strength and coordination, including stretching, strengthening and fine motor skill activities like gripping and grasping.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h2>Timing and Expectations for Recovery<\/h2>\r\nThe start of rehabilitation depends on the type of surgery and your child\u2019s healing progress. Therapy often begins a few weeks after surgery and gradually increases in intensity and duration. Recovery may take many months or even years and could involve additional interventions along the way.\r\n\r\nYour Mary Free Bed therapist will help set realistic goals and develop a personalized treatment plan to support your child\u2019s individual needs and progress.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h2>Schedule an Appointment<\/h2>\r\nIf your child has experienced a brachial plexus injury, our expert Pediatric Rehabilitation Team is here to help. Contact Mary Free Bed Kids today to schedule an appointment and begin your child\u2019s journey toward recovery and independence."}]},"your_experience_tab":{"hide_section":true,"tab_title":"","left_content":"gdfgs","right_content":"sdfgsd","body_sections":null},"meet_your_team_tab":{"hide_section":true,"tab_title":"","content":"","body_sections":null,"meet_your_team_blocks":null},"outpatient_experience_tab":{"hide_section":true,"tab_title":"","content":"","body_sections":null},"services_tab":{"hide_section":true,"tab_title":"","content":"","services_offered":null},"faq_tab":{"hide_section":true,"tab_title":"","body_sections":null}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.maryfreebed.com\/kids\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/conditions\/576","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.maryfreebed.com\/kids\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/conditions"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.maryfreebed.com\/kids\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/conditions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.maryfreebed.com\/kids\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=576"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.maryfreebed.com\/kids\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=576"},{"taxonomy":"modal_window","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.maryfreebed.com\/kids\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/modal_window?post=576"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}