Pain in avulsion lesions of the brachial plexus

Abstract

A long-term follow-up of 275 young men with traction lesions of the brachial plexus, 108 of which had evidence of avulsion lesions, is reported. Of these 108,98 suffered significant pain. There was a remarkably consistent description of the pain and the various activities that affected it. Drugs were of limited use and the most valuable method of treatment was transcutaneous electrical stimulation, although only one-third responded dramatically to this. The single most effective maneuver to reduce pain may be absorption by the patient in work. There remain a significant number of young men with severe pain who may expect to suffer such pain indefinitely. The need for new methods to be developed to control this pain is discussed.