What causes brachial plexus injury?
A brachial plexus injury is almost always seen in contact sports when the head and neck are forcibly moved or hit to one side, stretching the brachial plexus on the opposite side. Sometimes when the head and neck are forcibly pushed to one side there is compression of the nerves in the brachial plexus on the same side. The nerves become irritated as a result of being stretched or compressed. Brachial plexus injuries usually occur during a contact sport when the head and neck are hit to one side, stretching the brachial plexus on the opposite side. Occasionally there is compression of the nerves on the same side as well. The nerves become irritated as a result of being stretched or compressed. Anyone participating in a contact sport such as football, hockey or basketball can suffer a brachial plexus injury. The condition can strike at any age, but young and middle-age adults are most frequently affected.
