Brachial plexopathy

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Central nervous system

Neuropathy - brachial plexus; Brachial plexus dysfunction; Parsonage Turner syndrome

Treatment is aimed at correcting the underlying cause and allowing you to use your hand and arm as much as possible. In some cases, no treatment is required and recovery happens on its own.

Over-the-counter or prescription pain medications may be needed to control pain. Anticonvulsants (phenytoin, carbamazepine, gabapentin, and pregabalin), tricyclic antidepressants (amitriptyline and nortriptyline), or other medications (duloxetine) may be prescribed. Use the lowest dose possible to avoid side effects.

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• Physical therapy may be recommended for some people to help maintain muscle strength.
• Orthopedic assistance may increase your ability to use your hand and arm. Such therapy may involve braces, splints, or other appliances.
• Vocational counseling, occupational therapy, occupational changes, job retraining, or other measures may be recommended.

Some patients with brachial plexopathy may benefit from surgery if nerve compression is the cause of the symptoms.

If other nerves are also affected, an underlying medical problem that can affect nerves should be considered. Medical conditions such as diabetes and kidney disease can damage nerves. In these cases, treatment is also directed at the underlying medical condition.

The likely outcome depends on the cause. A good recovery is possible if the cause is identified and properly treatment. In some cases, there may be a partial or complete loss of movement or sensation. Nerve pain may be severe and may persist for a long time.

• Deformity of the hand or arm, mild to severe, which can lead to contractures
• Partial or complete arm paralysis
• Partial or complete loss of sensation in the arm, hand, or fingers
• Recurrent or unnoticed injury to the hand or arm due to diminished sensation

Call your health care provider if you experience pain, numbness, tingling or weakness in the shoulder, arm, or hand.

Review Date: 09/28/2010
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; Daniel B. Hoch, PhD, MD, Assistant Professor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).