Functional contribution of T1 to the brachial plexus in infants

Abstract

To determine the contribution of the T1 root to movements of the upper limb in infancy, 40 infants presenting with obstetrical brachial plexus palsy who underwent resection and reconstruction of all brachial plexus roots with the exception of the T1 root were assessed in the early postoperative period. The movements of the limb were recorded using the Hospital for Sick Children active movement scale and demonstrated considerable variability. All movements of the upper limb were observed in this group with the exception of external rotation of the shoulder and elbow flexion. Classical accounts of the function of T1 have limited its activity to the small muscles of the hand and were based on anatomical dissection, brachial plexus injuries and electrical stimulation. By contrast, this study isolated the physiological activity of T1 and analysed the functional contribution of this root to arm movement. We show a greater than generally recognized contribution of T1 to the function of the upper limb in infants.