In Florida and across the nation, brachial plexus injuries sometimes occur if a person has been injured in a car wreck. Other types of injuries associated with car accidents could include brain injuries, spine fractures and shoulder injuries, and victims often require hospitalization as a result.
A medical doctor reports that when a victim suffers from these serious nerve injuries, they could be very weak in their arms. Medical personnel may struggle in diagnosing these types of injuries when patients are immobilized because of more serious injuries or when the patient is in a coma. However, when a patient is sufficiently able to cooperate with a neurological exam, doctors sometimes discover brachial plexus injuries.
Medical personnel assess the damage by conducting an MRI of the back and plexus and reviewing x-rays of the collarbone and shoulder. A rehabilitation center or therapy location can continue to provide care for a patient who is recovering from this type of injury. In some cases, the nerve damage is severe and the patient will need surgery.
Patients often need to participate in physical or occupational therapy after surgery in order to prevent contraction of the muscle. Therapy also helps patients work toward an independent lifestyle and move forward with goals of improving daily activities. Electrical stimulation and ultrasounds can help with pain management. In addition, mental health counseling should assist patients who deal with depression or post-traumatic-stress disorder. In some cases, patients need to be checked for ongoing cognitive gaps.
When someone is injured in a car accident and going through recovery, the healing process can be long and complicated. The associated expenses can quickly drain a person financially. A personal injury attorney might be able to help accident victims in seeking damages to compensate them for their medical expenses.
Source: JusticeNewsFlash.com, “Early Management Of Brachial Plexus Injuries“, Greg Vigna, MD, JD, Joe Motta, JD, May 31, 2013