BRACHIAL PLEXUS INJURY-THERAPY & EQUIPMENT

SUMMARY

PT/OT
1. Passive ROM exercises & stretching (especially shoulder external rotation, forearm pronation & supination).
2. CIMT: reinforced use of the affected arm while constraining the normal arm (constraint therapy) can aid the patient's recognition & strengthening of the arm.
3. Strengthening scapular stabilizers: trapezius & rhomboids.
4. Retraining the use of the non-dominant upper limb for tasks such as writing, signing, feeding and grooming.
5. Vocational retraining: to use the opposite upper limb to perform tasks with modified equipment.
6. Hydrotherapy.

ASSISTIVE EQUIPMENT
7. Splinting may be used during sleep to avoid the formation of contractures or to protect floppy joints. E.g. Stanmore flail-arm orthosis, wrist-drive flexor hinge splint.
8. Arm sling whilst upright.
9. Special utensils for feeding.

Reference(s)

Cifu, D.X. (2020). Braddom’s physical medicine and rehabilitation. Elsevier. Get it on Amazon.
Cuccurullo, S. (2019). Physical medicine and rehabilitation board review. New York: Demosmedical. Get it on Amazon.
O’Young, B., Young, M.A. and Stiens, S.A. (2008). Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Secrets. Mosby. Get it on Amazon.