United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

I have been going through a very bad time in my life and now seem to have added a new issue. About 4 months ago, I was weight lifting (bench press) and felt some pain in my neck. I'm 42 and have been lifting for years. Unfortunately, I've concluded my technique (tilting head to right, arching my back) was poor. Based on my internet research, it appears nearly certain that I have a brachial plexus injury. Some time later (maybe a week) I noticed a large bruise on the inside of my right arm. The bruise covered the area from shoulder to elbow. For the past 3-4 months since the injury, I've had a lot of weakness in my arm (generally in the back or triceps area). Not all muscle movements are weak. Combing my hair is a problem. Lifting something into the back seat of the car is weak. Shooting a basketball is a problem. I have been able to do my weight lifting, however, at pretty much the same level as I've usually done. I also have periodic momentary pain/tightness in the back of my head or neck. I can also notice a sound in my neck in a quiet room. My fingers seem to work fine. I've set up an appointment with a sports medicine doctor in a few days but wanted to get advice before the visit. I'm greatly concerned that I've caused a permanent problem since this problem has persisted for so many months. Any advice on treatment/therapy would be greatly appreciated. I've concluded I should stop weightlifting until I get medical advice. I'd like to know advantages/disadvantes of various treatments (surgery, cervical collar, exercise, drugs, etc.). Thanks.

If I were you, I would go to a neurologist and have an EMG done. This will detect any nerve involvement.

Maureen aka Gianni's mom

Thanks for the advice. Is anyone aware of possible doctors in the St. Louis area?

I have a very similar background to yours -- I am 42 years old, have been weight lifting for years (free weights). I experienced a brachial plexus injury almost 1 year ago, and I'm still recovering.
Your problem could be a torn rotator cuff. See a good ortho doc. I know how frustrating this is for you, since we both share a passion for weightlifting. I am still experiencing very weak external rotation and pain in my right shoulder. I was only properly diagnosed recently with brachial plexus neuritis (also Parsonage-Turner Syndrome). Before that, it was cervical radicopathy, rotator cuff tendinitis, bursitis. It's been a long road to recovery, and I am still VERY frustrated at how long it's taking to regain my strength. I have an atrophied infraspinatus muscle and I'm worried if this will be irreversible.
Anyone else out there with similar condition???

I am writing from Toronto, Canada. I am experiencing the lasting effects of brachial plexus neuritis myself. This began for me about 4 months ago, and while the severe pain subsided after the first four weeks, I'm left now with a wrist drop and limited movement of my left hand (the radial nerve is the main nerve that was damaged). I have seen three neurologists and I have been told that nerve regeneration is about 1 millimetre a day (25mm = 1 inch)...Not great news as the estimated length of nerve damage is around 600mm or somewhere around 600 days.

The good news is that if you do have brachial plexus neuritis, the prognosis for recovery is generally good, often 100%, its just a waiting game.

If any of you are living in the Cleveland area, Dr. Wilbourn at the Cleveland Clinic is an expert on brachial plexus neuritis. I talked with him on the telephone for about 30 minutes and he answered a lot of my questions. Good luck to anyone who has this frustrating syndrome, hang in there!

Last August I had fusion surgery for
C5,C6 and C7. I recovered and had full movement for 7 days On day 7 I lost the use of my right arm bicept and deltoids. 30 days later (the loss was gradual but consistent) my left arm was like my right arm.

From August till the end of November no one could tell me for sure what the problem was. I recommend that you see a neurologist and have him eliminate tumors, severed nerves, MS and other causes. If all the tests are negative the it will end up being Brachial neuralgia. Most of the time it is unilateral. Mine was bilateral.

I was making little progress with Physical therapy. I moved these exercises to a pool where there is no gravity. I was able to make the movement and retrain the nerves to make the movements. With in three months I could raise my arm from my side to my shoulder. In another 2 months I could raise my arms above my head. Last month I could once again lift a large cup of McDonald's coffee to my lips. It is a very slow process

The diagnosis of brachial neuralgia was made in late October and finally confirmed with and indepth EMG performed at the University of Michigan (an hour long process) My neurologist Dr. Zangara was trained at Baylor. Baylor is known for treating numerous Erb Palsey children and produces excellent neurologist.

Good luck and keep working on physical therapy

Carol, you mentioned cervical radicopathy, and I don't know what it is. My Dad was just sent to physical therapy for "cervical radicopathy" and I told my Mom that I would try to find some info about it. My dad has had a "pinched nerve" behind his left shoulder blade that hurts up to his neck. It started about 4 months ago. At first it was just annoying, but over time he has lost muscle strength, especially his deltoid muscle. He can't lift his left arm at all now. He has lost significant muscle. The Neurologist said it has been starved. Does this sound familiar to you? How are you doing now?

You might actually look into the Accessory Nerve for your Dad. This nerve comes down from the spinal cord and crosses a very vulnerable area at the back of the neck where it is said to be very close to the surface.
It ennervates the trapizoid muscle and can make it impossible for one to shrug their shoulder. The other to
look into is the Axillary nerve, shown below. Although I am not sure how it would cause a pain under the should blade. To see if there is cuff problems, because if there's damage there, the pain in the blade might be from the bodies method of pain avoidance. Has your Dad had an MRI? What is meant by 'starved'. Starved for what. Blood? He needs a 2nd opinion I think. Starved is not a good medical term unless you're not eating.
Wendy
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Axillary_nerve