Your body is comprised of an extensive matrix of nerves. These channels of nerves are message superhighways from your extremity to your brain. Signals such as feeling pressure, temperature, moisture, pain, and motor function are all relayed back and forth from whatever part on your body is sensing that to your brain. This is primarily done through your brain and spinal cord which are your central nervous system, and your peripheral nerves which brain out of your spinal cord and extend all the way to the tips of your fingers and toes. Our brachial plexus is a bundle of nerves which originate in your neck (cervical spine) and extend outwards into the base of your neck and behind the collarbone to the front of the shoulder girdle area. The nerves from the brachial plexus then begin to split and combine multiple times as it weaves down your biceps, through your elbow, down your forearm, through your wrists, and branches out in your hand and down your fingers. During this combining and recombining process down the arm, the brachial plexus is divided into three parts called the superior, middle, and inferior, which are essentially the left side of your arm, middle, and right side of your arm.
Causes of Brachial Plexus Injuries
While these nerves and the brachial plexus itself are very resilient, they are not impermeable. Certain forces placed on the brachial plexus could result in very serious injury to them. The most common causes which put extreme forces to brachial plexus are auto accidents, especially trucking accidents.
This is because the brachial plexus is vulnerable to sudden and sharp forces. The shoulder itself is held by a seatbelt which contains the body. While this may save a person’s life in a brachial plexus has been injured in a New Mexico auto accident, it could result in serious damages. This is because a brachial plexus injury could affect the way a person moves his or her arm, wrist, hand, and fingers. In very severe cases, a person may lose complete motor function and/or sensation. In moderate cases there may be some loss of function or sensation, sometimes both, but usually one or the other. Mild cases may result in injuries which are painful and cause some minor loss of function or sensation, either temporarily or permanently.
Unfortunately, most damage to the brachial plexus is inoperable. Nerves are difficult to repair and treat, and brachial plexus injury from a motor vehicle accident could be so widespread that the entire nerve is compromised. Other times surgery may be used to repair localized damage or remove a neuroma, but no surgery can have guaranteed results.
Victims of New Mexico Auto Accidents Who Have Brachial Plexus Injuries Should Call Our Law Firm
Any auto accident could result in brachial plexus injuries. Children and elderly individuals are especially prone to brachial plexus injuries in auto accidents, especially New Mexico trucking accidents. Generally, the faster and hard the impact the more likely that there could be brachial plexus injuries. This is especially true on fast-moving roadways like I-10, I-40, and I-25.
If you or a loved one have been injured has suffered a brachial plexus nerve injury due to a New Mexico auto accident, please call our experienced team at the Contact box located by clicking here.
