Do obstetrical brachial plexus injuries affect proprioceptive sense?

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the proprioceptive sensory input in the shoulder joint affected by obstetrical brachial plexus injuries (OBPI). METHODS This controlled study included 39, 7-12-year-old children with upper and/or middle trunk OBPI, and it took place in the Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Science, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey between January 2008 and September 2009. The proprioceptive evaluation was carried at both affected and normal sides, at predetermined target angles, which were determined as 10%, 30%, and 90% of the shoulder passive abduction angle and at the rate of 2 degrees/s speed. RESULTS A statistically significant difference was observed between affected and normal sides at 10% and 30% of the target angles. Absolute values of the affected side proprioception score were found to be higher compared to the normal side. CONCLUSION A decrease in the proprioceptive sense in OBPI was observed. Therefore, a deteriorated proprioceptive network will eventually, over time, affect functionality in this type of injury.