What is Neuropathy

Now that we have discussed what neuropathy is, let’s take a closer look at the more individual branches of the medical condition. This is because there are a lot of people asking ‘what is brachial plexus neuropathy.’  In other instances, it can also be referred to as brachial plexopathy. This is a nerve disorder which occurs in the brachial plexus. The brachial plexus is a group of nerves which are responsible for linking the arm together with the shoulder. One of the characteristics of the symptoms of this condition is the onset of intense pain which can be felt in the shoulder and in the upper arm. This pain is then followed by regional weakness.

Although the condition is rare, there are a number of doctors which misdiagnose the disease as a problem which starts in the cervical spine. They often tell the patient that this is a condition caused by either a compressed or slipped disc. This is because both of these conditions originate from the same area as the brachial plexus neuropathy condition.

There are several things which can cause this condition. This includes injuries due to stretching, trauma to the area, radiation, inflammation, tumors, exposure to toxins, congenital abnormalities, and even some medications. At the same time, the level of pain which can be experienced varies for each patient. There are some patients that can also feel numbness or tingling in the affected area. At first, the pain felt can be mistaken for strain or a similar injury. It is only until patients experience muscle weakness when they start going to the doctor and ask them ‘what is brachial plexus neuropathy.’ After consulting with a doctor, patients will need to undergo a series of tests in order to determine what proper treatment can be done to their condition.