Recovery of Shoulder Function in Traumatic Brachial Plexus Palsy After Nerve Repair

抄録

Inferior subluxation of the humeral head, also known as the “drooping shoulder”, occurs after the development of paralytic states such as hemiplegia or brachial plexus palsy and after injury to the joint capsule or surrounding musculoligamentous structures producing hemarthrosis or fracture of the proximal end of the humerus. The upper extremity is extremely mobile in order to bring its effector organ, the hand, into a position to grasp objects in normal subjects. However, in a total brachial plexus palsy, where the recostructable function is limited because of restrictions in the number of available donor nerves and in the ability of nerves to regenerate, the object of reconstructive surgery will be first of all to provide stability to the joint, and then such mobility as may be possible, given the particular nerve injuries. In this study the recovery after nerve repair was examined by EMG findings and shoulder function in cases of traumatic brachial plexus palsy.