Philadelphia medical malpractice lawyers discuss the need for immediate treatment of brachial plexus injuries. Brachial plexus are a bundle of nerves located in the shoulder, arm, and hand that attach to the spinal cord. Injuries to the brachial plexus occur when the nerves in the area become stretched or torn. Birth injuries are a common cause of brachial plexus injuries along with automobile accidents, falls, and playing contact sports. In more rare instances, tumors and inflammation can also cause brachial plexus injury.
Typically, if the brachial plexus nerves are stretched, the damage is minor and causes burning or electric shock-like pain. Patients with stretched nerves may also experience numbness and weakness in their arm. These symptoms usually last for a short time period of no more than a few days, and often times will resolve themselves. When a major brachial plexus injury occurs, usually the nerve has been either torn or ruptured. In the most severe case of brachial plexus injury, called avulsion, the nerve root is torn from the spinal cord. More serious injuries are indicated by the inability to use shoulder or elbow muscles even with the ability to use the fingers; the ability to use the fingers, but inability to use the shoulder or elbow muscles; or an ability to use the arm but not the fingers. Patients may also experience a loss of movement or sensation in their entire arm and extremely severe pain.
Medical Malpractice Lawyers: Severe Brachial Plexus Injuries May Require Surgery to Repair Damaged Nerves
In brachial plexus injuries where there is a significant amount of scar tissue surrounding the nerves or where the nerves have been cut or torn, surgery is necessary to repair the nerves. Either a nerve graft or nerve transfer may be performed, depending on the severity of the injury. A muscle transfer, a procedure where removes a less important muscle or tendon from another part of the body is transferred to the patient’s arm, may be performed if muscles in the arm have deteriorated as a result of the damage.
Experts recommend receiving treatment for a brachial plexus injury as soon as possible. Many physicians advise patients to seek treatment within three to six months of the injury. Patients should be advised that delayed treatment could cause permanent damage to their brachial plexus and permanent pain.
Medical Malpractice Lawyers in Philadelphia and New Jersey
The Philadelphia medical malpractice lawyers at Messa & Associates are experienced at handling cases involving brachial plexus and birth injuries. Our extremely skilled team of medical malpractice lawyers and medical experts is dedicated to ensuring you receive proper compensation for your personal injuries. If you or a loved one has suffered a brachial plexus injury, birth injury, or any other type of personal injury as a result of negligent care received by a medical provider, contact the medical malpractice lawyers of Messa & Associates for a free consultation. Call toll free at 1-877-MessaLaw, or submit a free online inquiry.
Looking for advise for my brachial plexus injury that was caused by surgery for a DVT in my right (dominant) arm due to TOS. I have had no feeling and movement in the upper part of my arm since date of surgery on 7/7/2020.