Brachial Plexus Injuries

Front 1

Erb duchennes palsy

Back 1

- Injury to superior parts of brachial plexus
- Paralysis of the muscles of the shoulder and arm supplied by C5 and C6 (deltoid, biceps, and brachialis)
- clinical appearance is an upper limb with an adducted shoulder, medially rotated arm and extended elbow.
- Lateral aspect of the forearm also experiences some loss of sensation.

Front 2

Compression of cords

Back 2

- result from prolonged hyperabduction of the arm
- cords compressed between coracoid process and the pectorals minor tendon.
- Symptoms: pain radiating down arm, numbness, paresthesia, erythema and weakness of the hands.

Front 3

Klumpke paralysis

Back 3

- Injuries to inferior parts of brachial plexus
- less common
injuries occur when the upper limb is suddenly pulled superiorly
- short muscles of the hand are affected and result in a claw hand

Front 4

Burner

Back 4

- Common nerve injury resulting from trauma to the neck and shoulder during sports
- compression of the upper trunk of the brachial plexus or the fifth or sixth cervical root
- treatment is to restore range of motion

Front 5

Axillary Nerve Injury

Back 5

- Most common peripheral nerve injury to affect shoulder
- Most ofter seen after glenohumeral joint dislocation, proximal humerus fracture or a direct blow to the deltoid muscle
- Compression nueropathy has been reported to occur in the quadrilateral space sundrome, although the true pathophysiology is unclear
- The axillary nerve during any operative procedure involving the inferior aspect of the shoulder.

Front 6

Unhappy Triad

Back 6

Axillary nerve injury occurring together with shoulder dislocation and rotator cuff tear, thus compromising the unhappy triad