The brachial plexus is a group of nerves that control the muscles of the shoulder, arm, forearm and hand. These same nerves also provide sensation feeling of the whole upper limb. The brachial plexus roots come out of the spinal column between the vertebrae. The roots are labeled C5, C6, C7, C8 for the cervical vertebrae and T1 for the first thoracic vertebra. Brachial plexus injuries range from mild stretch injuries that resolve naturally to complete root tears that result in an arm that does not feel and does not function.
Brachial plexus injuries can be caused by motorcycle or car accidents when the neck and the shoulder are pushed in different directions. Infants can also sustain brachial plexus injuries during childbirth. Some information about each of the roots:. The second level of the brachial plexus consists of three "trunks. As the three trunks continue toward the shoulder, they each divide into two nerves called an "anterior division" and a "posterior division.
The third level of the brachial plexus is called "divisions. The divisions then reorganize to create three new nerves, called "cords. The nerves in the fourth level of the brachial plexus are called "cords" and come from the "divisions" in level three. The three cords are named lateral, posterior, and medial based on their position in relationship to the brachial artery.
Many important nerves come from the cords. Some of these nerves produce motion around the shoulder. Others travel on to become the five main "branches" of the brachial plexus. The fifth and final level of the brachial plexus are the five nerves that feed the shoulder and arm called "branches. Musculocutaneous nerve The musculocutaneous nerve is formed from the C5, C6, and C7 nerve roots of the brachial plexus.
Axillary nerve The axillary nerve is formed from the C5 and C6 nerve roots of the brachial plexus. Brachial plexus The brachial plexus is a group of nerves that control the muscles of the shoulder, arm, forearm, and hand. Roots The brachial plexus is a group of nerves that control the muscles of the shoulder, arm, forearm and hand.
Some information about each of the roots: C5 is the nerve "root" that exits the spinal cord above the fifth vertebra in the neck. It travels into the brachial plexus and eventually becomes the nerves that feed muscles around the shoulder and chest. It passes near the surface of the elbow. So, bumping the nerve there causes the pain and tingling of "hitting the funny bone. When damage destroys the nerve covering myelin sheath or part of the nerve itself, nerve signaling is slowed or prevented.
Pain or numbness may awaken you from sleep. Activities such as tennis or golf may make the condition worse. The health care provider will examine you and ask about your symptoms and medical history.
You may be asked what you were doing before the symptoms started. The goal of treatment is to allow you to use the hand and arm as much as possible. Your provider will find and treat the cause, if possible. Sometimes, no treatment is needed and you will get better on your own.
Surgery to relieve pressure on the nerve may help if the symptoms get worse, or if there is proof that part of the nerve is wasting away. If the cause of the nerve dysfunction can be found and successfully treated, there is a good chance of a full recovery. In some cases, there may be partial or complete loss of movement or sensation. Call your provider if you have an arm injury and develop numbness, tingling, pain, or weakness down your forearm and the ring and little fingers.
Many mild injuries need no treatment because feeling and muscle control return within a few minutes. Most burners go away on their own. Someone with a more serious injury might work with a physical therapist or trainer to keep the muscles strong during healing.
A burner should heal completely before you return to sports. To make burners less likely if you play contact sports, be sure to:. Reviewed by: Christopher A. Gegg, MD. Larger text size Large text size Regular text size.
What Happens in a Burner? Someone with a burner may complain of: pain or an electric shock shooting down the arm numbness in the arm or fingers clumsiness or weakness in the hand or arm a warm sensation in the affected area A severe injury may cause paralysis loss of movement of the arm and a loss of sensation. Who Gets Burners?
Sometimes, certain illnesses can affect nerves and cause similar symptoms in the upper extremity. The University of Michigan is a leading provider in the treatment of nerve injuries, from simple to complex.
Our fellowship trained hand and upper extremity surgeons specialize in hand, wrist, and elbow surgery. Symptoms generally occur following an injury to the neck, shoulder, arm or hand. Sometimes, symptoms may occur after something as simple as laying on the arm for too long.
Other injuries may occur after a crush or sharp cut along any part of the nerve. Common symptoms of nerve injury include:. Depending on the complexity of the condition, patients may visit with more than one physician, surgeon, therapist or physician assistant. Consultations usually last hours.
During this important visit, patients should expect to:. In addition to an initial consultation appointment, additional diagnostic tests may be ordered.
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