Dr. Rahul Nath - What Are Brachial Plexus Injuries?
Dr. Rahul Nath is a brachial plexus, foot drop and winging scapula surgery specialist practicing in Houston, TX. Dr. Nath specializes in management of complex peripheral nerve injuries. Improving function, symmetry and quality of life are key goals in nerve reconstructive surgery. Dr. Nath has authored over 75... more
What Are Brachial Plexus Injuries?
Brachial plexus injuries are birth injuries that affect the network of nerves around the neck and shoulder. About one in every 1,000 newborns has this condition. The child will experience weakness and lack of motion due to nerve damage.
How does brachial plexus develop?
A brachial plexus injury is often the result of the infant’s neck being stretched or turned to the side during a difficult delivery. The brachial plexus is derived from 5 “roots” or spinal nerves that exit the spinal cord in the neck. There are different grades of severity depending on how many nerves were affected, and whether the nerve was stretched or torn.
How is brachial plexus diagnosed?
An evaluation can determine which nerves and vertebrae are affected in order to classify your child’s injury. In brachial plexus injuries, the arm is often bent involuntarily at the elbow. The assessment evaluates the child’s range of motion and looks for symptoms such as weakness in one arm, decreased grip strength, numbness, impaired muscle development, and any signs of paralysis.
What is the surgical treatment?
The surgical treatment of brachial plexus injuries involves microsurgical techniques. The Nath Method of Treatment for brachial plexus injuries for newborns has arisen out of Dr. Nath’s 22 years of experience with this condition. Reconstructive surgery may involve operating on the nerves, tendons, muscles, and skin to achieve improved function and growth.
