Skip to main content
NCBI home page
Journal of Athletic Training logoLink to Journal of Athletic Training
. 1996 Apr-Jun;31(2):119–124.

Chronic Brachial Plexopathies and Upper Extremity Proprioception and Strength

C Buz Swanik 1,2,3, Tim J Henry 1,2,3, Scott M Lephart 1,2,3
PMCID: PMC1318441  PMID: 16558384

Abstract

Brachial plexopathies, where traction or compressive forces disrupt motor and sensory nerve conduction, are the most common nerve injuries in collision sports. Athletes frequently do not report these episodes, however, predisposing the brachial plexus to recurrent trauma. The purpose of this study was to identify how multiple injuries to the brachial plexus affects shoulder strength and proprioception. Ten male intercollegiate football players with at least three unilateral episodes of brachial plexopathies were tested an average of 10 weeks after the most recent episode. The uninvolved shoulder was used as the control. Isometric peak torque was assessed for shoulder abduction, external rotation, and elbow flexion. Proprioception was measured under two conditions: threshold to detection of passive motion and reproduction of passive positioning. Dependent t tests revealed significant mean differences (p < .05) between the involved and uninvolved extremity for abduction peak torque, overall mean peak torque, and one out of four conditions of threshold to detection of passive motion conditions. This was in the neutral position moving into external rotation. In addition, subjects with greater numbers of episodes exhibited larger strength deficits. The results of this study emphasize the need for timely re-evaluation of athletes with chronic brachial plexopathies.

Full text

PDF
119

Images in this article

120Fig 2.
on p.120
121Fig 3.
on p.121
121Fig 4.
on p.121
121Fig 5.
on p.121

Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

  1. Archambault J. L. Brachial plexus stretch injury. J Am Coll Health. 1983 Jun;31(6):256–260. doi: 10.1080/07448481.1983.9939570. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  2. Barrack R. L., Skinner H. B., Brunet M. E., Haddad R. J., Jr Functional performance of the knee after intraarticular anesthesia. Am J Sports Med. 1983 Jul-Aug;11(4):258–261. doi: 10.1177/036354658301100414. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  3. Barrack R. L., Skinner H. B., Cook S. D. Proprioception of the knee joint. Paradoxical effect of training. Am J Phys Med. 1984 Aug;63(4):175–181. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  4. Cahalan T. D., Johnson M. E., Chao E. Y. Shoulder strength analysis using the Cybex II isokinetic dynamometer. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1991 Oct;(271):249–257. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  5. Gilbert J. C., Knowlton R. G. Simple method to determine sincerity of effort during a maximal isometric test of grip strength. Am J Phys Med. 1983 Jun;62(3):135–144. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  6. Hutton R. S., Atwater S. W. Acute and chronic adaptations of muscle proprioceptors in response to increased use. Sports Med. 1992 Dec;14(6):406–421. doi: 10.2165/00007256-199214060-00007. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  7. Knapik J. J., Wright J. E., Mawdsley R. H., Braun J. Isometric, isotonic, and isokinetic torque variations in four muscle groups through a range of joint motion. Phys Ther. 1983 Jun;63(6):938–947. doi: 10.1093/ptj/63.6.938. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  8. Kuhlman J. R., Iannotti J. P., Kelly M. J., Riegler F. X., Gevaert M. L., Ergin T. M. Isokinetic and isometric measurement of strength of external rotation and abduction of the shoulder. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1992 Oct;74(9):1320–1333. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  9. Markey K. L., Di Benedetto M., Curl W. W. Upper trunk brachial plexopathy. The stinger syndrome. Am J Sports Med. 1993 Sep-Oct;21(5):650–655. doi: 10.1177/036354659302100503. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  10. Murray M. P., Gore D. R., Gardner G. M., Mollinger L. A. Shoulder motion and muscle strength of normal men and women in two age groups. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1985 Jan-Feb;(192):268–273. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  11. Otis J. C., Warren R. F., Backus S. I., Santner T. J., Mabrey J. D. Torque production in the shoulder of the normal young adult male. The interaction of function, dominance, joint angle, and angular velocity. Am J Sports Med. 1990 Mar-Apr;18(2):119–123. doi: 10.1177/036354659001800201. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  12. Robertson W. C., Jr, Eichman P. L., Clancy W. G. Upper trunk brachial plexopathy in football players. JAMA. 1979 Apr 6;241(14):1480–1482. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  13. Rockett F. X. Observations on the "burner:" traumatic cervical radiculopathy. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1982 Apr;(164):18–19. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  14. Sainburg R. L., Poizner H., Ghez C. Loss of proprioception produces deficits in interjoint coordination. J Neurophysiol. 1993 Nov;70(5):2136–2147. doi: 10.1152/jn.1993.70.5.2136. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  15. Speer K. P., Bassett F. H., 3rd The prolonged burner syndrome. Am J Sports Med. 1990 Nov-Dec;18(6):591–594. doi: 10.1177/036354659001800606. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  16. Torg J. S. Management guidelines for athletic injuries to the cervical spine. Clin Sports Med. 1987 Jan;6(1):53–60. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  17. Vegso J. J., Torg E., Torg J. S. Rehabilitation of cervical spine, brachial plexus, and peripheral nerve injuries. Clin Sports Med. 1987 Jan;6(1):135–158. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  18. Watkins R. G. Neck injuries in football players. Clin Sports Med. 1986 Apr;5(2):215–246. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Articles from Journal of Athletic Training are provided here courtesy of National Athletic Trainers Association

RESOURCES