Brachial Plexus Injury

The Mitchell Law Firm of San Jose explains common birth injuries such as brachial plexus injury and how medical professionals can avoid these injuries.

Orthopedic injury in an infant can occur in-utero, during birth, and after birth.  The most common nerve injuries in newborns are brachial plexus injuries.  Brachial plexus injuries occur when the nerves in the neck and shoulder region are damaged or torn.  These nerves send messages from the spine to the shoulder, arm, and hand, and damage to them can result in paralysis of the affected areas.

Types of Brachial Plexus Injuries

There are four main types of brachial plexus injury.  The least severe is a neurapraxia, which is usually self healing.  More severe is a neuroma, which involves damage to nerve fibers.  This can result in the formation of scar tissue which may make total recovery impossible. The third type is a tear of the nerve itself, which may require surgery.  The most serious damage is an avulsion, which occurs when the nerve is torn from the spinal cord.  This injury may result in permanent paralysis, although a nerve graft may restore some use.

Infant mishandling by medical professionals during the birthing process can cause brachial plexus injuries.  Movements which cause the infant’s shoulder to press downward while its head is pulled upward are one cause of the injury.  Additionally, excessive downward pulling of the head and neck can also cause the injury.  Other causes include prolonged labor and use of force during delivery.  Gestational diabetes in the mother resulting in a large baby is often the cause of manipulation of the infant during delivery resulting in the brachial plexus injury.

A brachial plexus injury at birth can be avoided.  For more information please call The Mitchell Law Firm at 866-616-9947, or complete our web form.