Brachial plexus injury is an underestimated complication from anterior dislocation of the shoulder. There is limited information available about the factors that influence neurological recovery of this injury from an orthodox stance. In 14 patients with brachial plexus injuries caused by anterior shoulder dislocation. Two-thirds of the cases had total brachial plexus palsy. With the conservative treatment, the motor recoveries of all cases are full or nearly full within 20 months except intrinsic muscle of the hand. Intrinsic muscle recovery may be better in a younger age group (less than 50 years). Nerve exploration is usually unnecessary. However, reconstructive surgery for the residual neurological deficit can provide improvement of hand function.

Shoulder dislocations may be complicated by fractures of the bones that make up the shoulder joint. Up to 25% of patients will have an associated fracture. Not included in these numbers are the Hill-Sachs deformity that may occur in up to 75% of anterior shoulder dislocations.

Nerve damage is always a potential complication. Commonly the circumflex axillary nerve may be injured which shows as numbness in small patch distribution on the outside of the upper arm. From time to time I consult with clients suffering this symptom without even having dislocated the shoulder. In this case it is more than likely they have partially subluxed the joint. This nerve often recovers spontaneously in a few weeks.

Rotator cuff injuries are commonly seen in older patients who dislocate their shoulder. The diagnosis may be difficult to make initially and often is made in follow-up visits with the health-care provider.

But the big one is that one I mentioned at the start, its a rare complication of shoulder dislocation. Tearing of the axillary artery, the main artery that supplies blood to the arm and brachial plexus injury, in which the nerve bundle that attaches the arm nerves to the spinal cord is damaged. Both these structures are located in the axilla (your armpit) and are potentially damaged by the initial dislocation or by attempts to reduce the dislocation (never let anyone attempt this using force).


Why have I brought this injury up? This time its not me, a rider I used to ride bike trials with has suffered this horrible injury. Its never nice to see a fellow rider facing down the barrel of a long lay off. What would I do in the same circumstances? From my perspective, which is many years of helping rehab those that have suffered such injury. Diet is key to allowing full recovery. I would be supplementing with Great Lakes Gelatin to ensure the shoulder ligaments come back stronger than ever, testing my pH to allow full recovery via dietary adjustment to keep the pH in range, using vitamin E to keep the blood from becoming to viscose through immobility, and supplementing with vitamin B6 & B12 to help the nerve recovery. In short I would remove all the junk out of my diet and eat like a god.

Daisy arrived at 3:55am on 28th March 2012. I thought I'd get a video of her in her first 5 minutes to embaress her with when she's older. Thank you for all the gifts and kind messages.

The following is a link to a BBC show presented by Mark Benton looking at the bizarre world of "fitness" in Britain. Leotards and Vests: The Great British Workout.  Bench presses, rowing machines, electric shock mittens, vibroplates, boot camps and electric shock mittens are some of the odd crazes we are conditioned to believe will improve our fitness and health. Give it 5 years and the public will see Zumba for the pointless activity that it really is.

The show is only available for another 5 days so watch it while you can. Check out the old school gym with ropes and wrestling mats.