Damage to the supraclavicular nerve
Symptoms In patients in whom the removal and external rotation of the arm is restricted and associated with pain, the supraclavicular nerves may be damaged. Cause This can be caused by a long telephone conversation during which the receiver is pinched between the shoulder and the ear, thus damaging the nerve.
What is a brachial plexus lesion?
A brachial plexus lesion is a lesion of the brachial plexus. The nerves that originate from this plexus are affected with varying degrees of severity depending on the severity of the lesion. An entrapment of nerves with increased pressure and resulting damage can be described as a lesion in the same way as the complete rupture of one or more nerves.
The causes of such damage are manifold: falls on the shoulder, clavicle fractures, dislocations (luxations) of the shoulder, or the application of pressure to a child at birth. In addition, plexus brachialis lesions can be caused by pressure from anatomical structures that have grown too far in the direction of the brachial plexus. Tumors (especially breast cancer (mammary carcinoma)) or enlarged lymph nodes after inflammation can also lead to a lesion.
The symptoms vary greatly depending on the severity of the lesion. Paralysis of the arm, disturbances in sensation (sensitivity disorders) and pain can occur. Depending on the damage, only parts of the arm or the whole arm are affected.
Pain in the brachial plexus
Pain in the brachial plexus is caused by damage to the nerves that originate from this plexus. The pain or discomfort is localized on the arms or in the upper shoulder area. Pain occurs when a nerve of the brachial plexus is irritated with the pain fibers.Often the damage is not only felt at the place where it occurred.
Rather, the pain can spread to the entire area that is supplied with pain fibers by the affected nerve (innervation area). The extent of the pain can vary greatly. This also depends on the type of damage.
Increased pressure on the brachial plexus (e.g. due to trauma) usually triggers pain that mainly affects the arm. They are often made worse by movement that increases the pressure. The pain here can be mild to very severe.
On the other hand, sudden, severe pain, especially in the area above the collarbone (supraclavicular), can be an indication of acute brachial neuritis. An absence of pain does not in any way mean that the plexus is undamaged. If no pain is felt, even though, for example, the arm is pinched, this may also be a sign of impairment. This is especially true when paralysis or simultaneous tingling occurs.
