The brachial plexus is a bundle of nerves that originates at the neck and shoulders. These nerves extend all the way down the arm and into the hand. Along the way, they divide into the specific nerves that innervate muscles in the arm and hand. Brachial Plexopathy develops when the brachial plexus ceases to work correctly. This can then lead to lack of feeling, as well as lack of movement in the arm. 

Causes: Brachial Plexopathy can have multiple causes. Two of the most common causes are disease and traumatic injury. When disease is the cause, it is most likely the result of the immune system being switched into overdrive, leading to inflammation of the nerve, neuritis, in the shoulder. In the instance of traumatic injury, damage to the area of the brachial plexus can lead to numbness, weakness and pain in various locations of the shoulder, arm and hand. 

Signs and symptoms: General symptoms of Brachial Plexopathy include: shoulder pain, numbness of the upper extremity, tingling or burning sensation, as well as weakness at the arm or hand. Additionally, some patients report feeling a shocking/burning sensation spread through their entire arm. It’s good to keep in mind that the localization of symptoms is dependent on which part of the brachial plexus was damaged.

If an individual continues to experience any of these signs or symptoms, they should be seen by a specialist in the field of Electrodiagnostic Medicine, https://emg-ncv.com, (EMG/NCS). For additional information, you can contact California Sports and Rehab Center. We can accommodate your needs in multiple locations in the Los Angeles and Orange County areas. Please visit us at https://emg-ncv.com or call our office at (310)-652-6060 for any questions.