Brachial plexus injury: living with uncertainty

Abstract

Purpose A traumatic brachial plexus injury (BPI) has life-changing consequences for patients and their families. Despite advancements in treatments final outcome is unpredictable depending on factors including time to treatment, injury severity, neural regeneration, and available interventions. The final outcome may not be seen for up to four years. This study aimed to explore the impact of uncertainty on people with a traumatic BPI. Methods Secondary qualitative analysis was conducted on data from a study exploring outcomes important to patients with a traumatic BPI. Data from semi-structured interviews with adult traumatic BPI patients (n = 13) were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Results Three major themes were identified in the qualitative data: (i) “I don’t know what happened to me,” focused on uncertainty in diagnosis. (ii) “I went to work one day… and then it all changed” centered around uncertainty in the future. (iii) Coping with uncertainty. Conclusion The results illustrate that people with a traumatic BPI face uncertainty regarding diagnosis, prognosis, and surrounding their roles in the future. Individuals respond to uncertainty in different ways and this needs to be understood by health care professionals. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION Health professionals should consider uncertainty in all their contacts with people who have experienced a traumatic brachial plexus injury. People with a traumatic brachial plexus injury experience uncertainty in different ways therefore education and information given may be optimized if tailored to the individual rather than generic. Increasing awareness of the injury and its presentation in non-specialist acute care clinicians may accelerate diagnosis and reduce initial uncertainty. Acknowledging the presence of uncertainty is important during the shared decision-making in brachial plexus injuries.