Many young adults with OBPL experience limitations in daily functioning. Pain, rather than arm-hand function, seems to explain these limitations. Implications for Rehabilitation Obstetric brachial plexus lesion (OBPL) is caused by traction to the brachial plexus during labour, resulting in denervation of the muscles of the arm and shoulder girdle. Adults with OBPL are hardly seen in rehabilitation medicine. This study shows that many young adults with OBPL experience limitations in daily functioning. Pain, rather than arm-hand function, seems to explain these limitations. Fifty percent of the participants complained about moderate or severe pain, which was located in the affected arm, the back and the non-affected arm. There seems an age-related increase in pain prevalence. Persons who had undergone plexus surgery had a significantly worse arm-hand function, but comparable scores on daily functioning scales compared to persons without plexus surgery. When limitations in daily functioning or pain occur, referral to a rehabilitation physician is indicated.
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