Focused Review Course: Pediatric Rehabilitation-Brachial Plexus Injury

Video Transcription

Video Summary

This video provides an overview of brachial plexus injuries, including their classification, diagnosis, and treatment. Brachial plexus injuries occur in approximately 0.7 per 1,000 live births in the United States, with babies at a higher risk if they have increased birth weight, multiparous mothers, or shoulder dystocia. The most common mechanism of injury is lateral stretch, often seen in cases of shoulder dystocia. Treatment goals aim to maximize arm and hand function through nerve regeneration and mechanical improvements. The severity of a nerve injury can be classified as neuropraxia, axonotmesis, or neurotmesis, with neurotmesis being the most severe and requiring surgical intervention. Nerve injuries can result from trauma, compression, or stretching. The video also discusses the response of peripheral nerves to trauma and the process of nerve regeneration. Additionally, it covers the evaluation and diagnosis of brachial plexus injuries, including clinical examination, electrodiagnosis, and imaging. Treatment options include physical therapy, splinting, surgery, and management of complications such as pain, muscle atrophy, and joint contractures. The timing of surgical intervention depends on the degree of nerve function recovery.

Keywords

brachial plexus injuries

classification

diagnosis

treatment

nerve regeneration