Brachial Plexus Australia - This site aims to be a hub of information, resources and support for people in Australia with Brachial Plexus Injuries (Erb's Palsy). Contributions and requests are welcome!

Types of Brachial Plexus Injuries

Courtesy of The Leeds Teaching Hospital

 

Minimal Injury

 

Stretched with no structural damage (neurapraxia)

 

In this injury the sensitive nerve fibres temporarily stop working but will rapidly recover without surgery.

 

B - Stretched but remains intact

 

In this injury the nerve has been damaged but not torn apart. The nerves may recover to a variable degree on their own over a period of months and may not require surgical treatment.

 

C - Nerve Rupture

In this type of injury the nerve has been stretched to breaking point and has been snapped or torn (similar to an overstretched alastic band). Ruptures will not heal without surgery.

 

D - Nerve Root Avulsion

 

In this injury the nerves are torn away from the spinal cord and cannot be re-joined to the cord. Some function of the arm will be permanently lost. At surgery nerves may be transferred from other areas to improve function.