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Neuropathy - brachial plexus; Brachial plexus dysfunction; Parsonage Turner syndrome
Brachial plexopathy is pain, decreased movement, or decreased sensation in the arm and shoulder due to a nerve problem.
Brachial plexus dysfunction (brachial plexopathy) is a form of peripheral neuropathy. It occurs when there is damage to the brachial plexus, an area where a nerve bundle from the spinal cord splits into the individual arm nerves.
Damage to the brachial plexus is usually related to direct injury to the nerve, stretching injuries (including birth trauma), pressure from tumors in the area, or damage that results from radiation therapy.
Brachial plexus dysfunction may also be associated with:
In some cases, no cause can be identified.
Ensrud E, King JC. Plexopathy--brachial. In: Frontera WR, Silver JK, Rizzo TD, eds. Essentials of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2008:chap 134.
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