A brachial plexus injury is damage to the bundle of nerves that travel from the neck into the arm. These nerves control shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand movement, so even a mild stretch can cause noticeable problems. Symptoms depend on where and how badly the nerves are pulled, torn, or compressed. The most common first sign is sudden weakness or a “dead” feeling in the arm right after an accident—like a car crash, football tackle, or hard fall. The arm may hang limp at the side, and lifting the shoulder or bending the elbow feels impossible. Sharp burning pain often... Learn more