Brachial Plexus Range of Motion Exercises

The Brachial Plexus is a bundle of nerve fibers that connect the brain to the arms, running from the spine to the neck, through the armpit area, and into the arms. When the brachial plexus is torn or stretched, loss of muscle control in the arms, wrists or hands occurs. While surgery is sometimes used to repair brachial plexus injuries, a plan of physical therapy almost always follows.

Brachial Plexus Injuries

• A majority of brachial plexus injuries occur in children that are larger than normal at birth. As they travel down the birth canal, their shoulders are compacted causing a stretching or tearing of the brachial plexus. Adults may also show signs of brachial plexus injuries if they receive trauma to their neck, head or shoulders.

  About 2 in every 1,000 children suffer bronchial plexus injuries during the childbirth process. Complete avulsion and ruptures must be treated with immediate surgery, although mild brachial plexus injuries in children heal naturally after the child reaches 3 or 4 months of age.

Brachial Plexus Range of Motion Exercises

• Range of motion exercises are immediately used to treat brachial plexus, or several months after surgery if surgery was required.

  Shoulder flexion returns some shoulder range of motion to the patient. Lay the infant on their back and stabilize the left shoulder with your left hand. Lift the arm up to shoulder height, making sure the child's thumb is leading and the arm straightened at the elbow. Do 10 repetitions, and then repeat this procedure with the opposite shoulder.

  Elbow flexion and extension is the next exercise. Place the infant on her back and stabilize her right elbow by placing your right hand gently on the shoulder socket. Bend the elbow as far as possible upwards and then straight again. Continue this exercise for 10 repetitions, and then switch to the other elbow.

  Shoulder abduction returns range of motion to the shoulder and sideways movement of the arms. Lay the child on his back and stabilize the left shoulder with your left hand by gently applying pressure at the shoulder socket. Lift his arm sideways until the arm is shoulder level and then move the arm back to his side. Continue this exercise for 10 repetitions, switching to the other arm.

  Finger flexion and extension exercises help to return full range of motion to the fingers. Place the child on her back and hold her left wrist with your left hand. Take her fingers in your right hand. Gently bend each finger toward the wrist, and then straighten the fingers. Do 10 repetitions on each finger and then switch to the opposite hand.