title: Recovery of brachial plexus injury after shoulder dislocation.
abstract: Brachial plexus injury is an underestimated complication from anterior dislocation of the shoulder. To our knowledge, there is limited information available about the factors that influence neurological recovery of this injury. We reviewed 15 upper extremities in 14 patients with brachial plexus injuries caused by anterior shoulder dislocation. Two-thirds of the cases had total brachial plexus palsy. With the conservative treatment, the motor recoveries of all cases are full or nearly full within 20 months except intrinsic muscle of the hand. Intrinsic muscle recovery may be better in a younger age group (less than 50 years). Nerve exploration is usually unnecessary. However, reconstructive surgery for the residual neurological deficit can provide improvement of hand function.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Hospital Bichat-Claude Bernard, 46 rue Henri Huchard, 75877 Paris Cedex 18, France. arkaphat@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Arkaphat
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kosiyatrakul
authors.forename: Surasak
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jitprapaikulsarn
authors.forename: Sebastein
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Durand
authors.forename: Christophe
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Oberlin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001917:Brachial Plexus / Q000293:injuries*; D020516:Brachial Plexus Neuropathies / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D006225:Hand / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053580:Muscle Strength; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000294:innervation / Q000503:physiopathology; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012783:Shoulder Dislocation / Q000150:complications*; D013709:Tendon Transfer / Q000379:methods; D013997:Time Factors