Brachial plexus lesions in hemiplegics

Nine hemiplegic patients with muscular atrophy in the paralysed upper limb have been subjected to a clinical and electrophysiological investigation. In all but one case with circumscribed muscular atrophy in the shoulder girdle or the small hand muscles electromyography showed evidence for denervation. The findings are consistent with traction neuropathy on the brachial plexus and its branches in spastic or hypermobile shoulder joints.