Things To Learn About Brachial Plexus Surgery, Treatment & Recovery!

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]IF you have sustained a fall from a bike, been hit on the shoulder , experienced sudden jerky movement of the shoulder or any sort of injury in the neck and you find it impossible to move your arm , then you most likely have injured your Brachial plexus. This sort of injury requires very early intervention by a specialist surgeon, most often a plastic surgeon , failing which there can be a permanent disability with total , permanent loss of movements of the upper limb

So What is this brachial plexus and why is it so important ?

They are a set of nerves which arise from the spinal cord in the neck region and pass down through the neck into the arm, supplying the muscles of arm, forearm, hand and fingers. These nerves also carry sensation from the upper limb . So when these nerves are injured, loss of function of the affected muscle will occur. Injury can involve one or all the nerves causing paralysis to some or all the muscles of upper limb.

If it is not treated early ( within 3-6 months), it will cause a permanent disability in the affected person. Hence it is very important to consult a plastic surgeon at the earliest when such an injury occurs. It is a misconception among people that plastic surgeons only improve the beauty of people, This is not true. Cosmetic surgery is a very small part of plastic surgery. Plastic surgeons are specialists in peripheral nerve injuries.

Importance of TIME :

When a nerve is cut, it has to be repaired as early as possible. If there is an undue delay in correct diagnosis and treatment, the muscle which the nerve supplies becomes non functional and so even if a repair is done late, no function occurs. If brachial plexus injury is rightly diagnosed and right surgical treatment done within 3-6 months, best outcomes occur. Surgeries in the form of simple nerve repair, grafting of the nerve can be done in early stages. If it is delayed beyond 6 months, results are pretty much compromised and functional recovery poor. After surgery, good , dedicated physiotherapy and rehabilitation exercises are mandatory to get the best possible result.

Some kind of injuries recover on their own and some need surgery. Only a specialist in the field of nerve surgery has the required knowledge to know the difference and to start the right treatment at the right time. Do not fall prey to complacent neighbours or quacks who recommend only exercises or just ask you to wait it out. Please do consult an expert plastic surgeon as soon as injury occurs. That alone will give you the best functional outcome.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]