Brachial Plexus Injury in Lahore

Introduction

A brachial plexus injury can affect the strength, movement, and sensation of the entire arm — and because nerves recover slowly and within a limited window, getting expert assessment quickly makes a real difference. If you or a loved one is dealing with a brachial plexus injury in Lahore, early diagnosis and the right treatment plan are essential to maximising recovery.

Prof. Dr. Kamran Khalid is an experienced plastic and hand surgeon at Ittefaq Hospital who specialises in complex nerve injuries, including brachial plexus cases, using advanced microsurgical techniques. This is one of his core areas of expertise.

What Is the Brachial Plexus?

The brachial plexus is a network of nerves running from the spinal cord in the neck into the shoulder, arm, and hand. These nerves carry the signals that control movement and sensation in the upper limb. When they are stretched, compressed, torn, or pulled away from the spinal cord, the result can range from weakness and numbness to complete paralysis of the affected arm.

Types of Brachial Plexus Injury

Understanding the type of nerve damage guides treatment and prognosis:

• Neurapraxia (stretch): the nerve is shocked but not torn — often recovers on its own.
• Rupture: the nerve is torn, but not at the spinal cord — usually needs surgical repair.
• Avulsion: the nerve is pulled away from the spinal cord — the most severe type, requiring nerve transfer techniques.

A related, milder form is the sports “burner” or “stinger,” a temporary brachial plexus stretch.

Causes

• High-energy trauma, especially motorcycle and road accidents
• Birth injuries in newborns (brachial plexus birth palsy / Erb’s palsy)
• Falls and sports injuries
• Tumours or inflammation near the nerves
• Complications from surgery near the neck or shoulder

Symptoms

• Numbness or tingling in the arm or hand
• Weakness in the shoulder, arm, or hand
• Severe pain in the shoulder or upper arm
• Partial or complete loss of movement
• Muscle wasting (atrophy) over time

If you notice these signs after an injury, prompt evaluation is important.

Why Timing Matters

This is the single most important point for brachial plexus injuries: nerve surgery generally gives the best results when performed early — ideally within 3 to 6 months of injury. Nerves regenerate roughly an inch per month, and muscle that has been without a nerve supply for too long may not recover even if the nerve is later repaired. Delaying assessment can quietly reduce what’s achievable, which is why early specialist referral matters so much.

Treatment Options in Lahore

Not every injury needs surgery. Treatment is matched to the type and severity:

• Observation and physical therapy for stretch injuries likely to recover on their own.
• Nerve repair and grafting to bridge a torn nerve.
• Nerve transfers, where a working nearby nerve is rerouted to restore a critical movement.
• Tendon or muscle transfers to regain function when nerve repair alone isn’t enough or when time has passed.

These fall under his broader brachial plexus surgery and hand & upper limb practice.

Surgery: What’s Involved

When surgery is needed, the technique depends on the injury:

• Neurolysis: freeing the nerve from surrounding scar tissue.
• Nerve grafting: replacing a damaged segment with a healthy donor nerve.
• Nerve transfer: reconnecting a functioning nerve to a non-working one to restore a priority movement.

These are delicate microsurgical procedures performed under magnification at Ittefaq Hospital.

Recovery and Rehabilitation

Nerve recovery is gradual, and rehabilitation is as important as surgery. Patients follow a personalised physiotherapy programme to protect repairs, prevent joint stiffness, and rebuild strength as the nerve regenerates. Realistically, meaningful recovery can take anywhere from 6 months to 2 years, and outcomes depend heavily on the injury type and how early treatment began.

Brachial Plexus Birth Injury in Children

Many newborns with brachial plexus birth palsy recover on their own within the first months, often with guided physiotherapy. When recovery stalls, early specialist assessment is important, as some children benefit from surgery within a defined window. Paediatric brachial plexus care is part of Dr. Khalid’s expertise.

Why Choose Dr. Kamran Khalid?

Prof. Dr. Kamran Khalid is a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon with over 25 years of experience and Professor & Head of Plastic Surgery at the Jinnah Burn & Reconstructive Surgery Centre. Brachial plexus and complex nerve surgery are a particular focus of his practice, combining microsurgical nerve repair, nerve and tendon transfers, and structured rehabilitation. For a neutral medical overview of this condition, the AAOS OrthoInfo guide to brachial plexus injuries is a useful reference.