Adult brachial plexus paresis: Any experiences or advice?

Greetings. I am somewhat uncertain regarding the appropriate placement for this inquiry; I initially considered the physical therapy PDF or perhaps this specific sub-forum, but if this is misplaced, I kindly request that a moderator relocate it. To provide context, I have dealt with a nerve injury in my right shoulder since birth, which has resulted in limited mobility. Specifically, I cannot fully raise my arm, extend it completely, or perform standard push-ups. While I have remained active in sports and maintained a fitness regimen—making my physical limitation virtually unnoticeable in daily life—there are subtle differences. My right arm is slightly shorter than my left and has a smaller circumference, though it is truly negligible to an observer. Because the triceps are responsible for the movements I cannot currently execute, that muscle has suffered from atrophy. In the past, my training has focused almost exclusively on the biceps, neglecting the triceps, and this imbalance is finally becoming a concern. I have located some triceps exercises online (though they are marketed toward women, I am currently unable to handle heavy gym equipment) http://www.osijek031.com/osijek.php?topic_id=37253 and I am wondering if it is advisable to begin with these movements without any significant strain—essentially starting with stretching and eventually progressing to light weights of one or two pounds. Will such an effort yield visible results after a few months? Furthermore, aside from those listed, are there specific triceps exercises tailored to someone with my particular physiological constraints?

Steven White96 said:Hey everyone. I’m not entirely sure if this belongs here or in the rehab PDF section, so if I’m out of line, please just move this thread. Basically, I’ve dealt with a nerve injury in my right shoulder since birth—a partial paralysis—which really limits my range of motion. I can't lift my arm all the way or fully extend it, and things like push-ups are totally off the table. I’ve stayed active through sports, so nobody notices the physical limitation in day-to-day life. To be honest, the arm is a couple of inches shorter than my left and lacks some mass, but it’s barely noticeable. Because the triceps isn't responsible for the movements I can't make, it has significantly atrophied. I’ve always focused on my biceps and ignored the triceps, but now it’s starting to catch up with me, and I want to finally address it. I found some triceps exercises online (they are geared toward women, but since I can't handle heavy gym work yet, they might work) (link http://www.osijek031.com/osijek.php?topic_id=37253), and I was wondering if I could start with those without overdoing it—just stretching at first, then eventually moving to one or two-pound weights? Will the effort actually pay off, and will I see visible results in a few months? Also, besides what I found, are there specific triceps exercises designed for someone with my exact type of nerve issue?

Why aren't you seeing a physiatrist? You have a very specific medical issue, and getting professional insight and advice is absolutely essential. Trying to give you advice based solely on a text post is neither easy nor responsible.
Get a referral for a physiatrist. They’ll examine you properly and prescribe the right exercises and any additional therapy you might need. There are plenty of methods out there, and real progress can happen.

Around age 15, I used to go for regular checkups at the Mayo Clinic every single year. Eventually, I just stopped going because I didn't see the point—I figured I could just handle the hand exercises on my own, which I still try to do. But let’s be honest: I only ever did the easy ones. I completely neglected the difficult stuff, like extending my arm properly, and now I'm dealing with the consequences. If I had actually committed to those exercises ten years ago instead of slacking off, I wouldn't be in this mess right now. Back then at the hospital, they would perform annual mobility tests on my arm and everything, but I grew bored of the routine and quit. My doctor also prescribed some spinal exercises, which really should have been done while I was still growing to ensure proper physical development—and I am still technically in that growth phase. So, should I schedule an appointment with a physiatrist? I am genuinely wondering if, by performing the correct exercises, it is actually possible to regain almost identical mobility to my left arm?

Steven White96 said:Around age 15, I was going in for annual checkups at the Mayo Clinic, but eventually, I just stopped because I didn't see the point—I figured if I just kept working on my arm, I'd be fine. But let's be real: I only stuck to the easy exercises. I completely neglected the tough stuff, like those specific reaching movements, which is exactly why I'm in this mess now. If I hadn't waited ten years to actually commit to the hard drills, I wouldn't be dealing with this. Back then at the hospital, they used to run mobility tests on me every year, but once I quit the routine, the progress stalled. Even the specialist there gave me some spinal exercises back then, which would have been crucial for my physical development while I was still growing—which, by the way, I still am. So, should I go see a physiatrist for a consultation? And honestly, is it even possible to get my mobility back to being almost identical to my left arm through the right set of exercises?

It’s possible, but it really depends on your specific case.
Nothing happens in a vacuum, even when it feels like everything is just random bad luck. You need to get a solid physiatrist and a skilled physical therapist on your side. 😉

Look, I should mention that I’m also dealing with a contracture in my right elbow; it stays slightly bent, and I just can't seem to straighten it out. I'm wondering if there's any way to fix this issue—even if it's just enough to get some decent range of motion back in my arm. Given that I've had nerve damage since birth, I’m under no illusions about reaching the same level of mobility as my left arm, but honestly, even a marginal improvement would be a win in my book.

I’m curious, is there anyone else around my age—say, 18 and up—who is actually dealing with this exact same issue?

So I've been spiraling down some internet rabbit holes today, just endlessly scrolling through threads about this whole situation, when I somehow stumbled upon this forum... turns out I'm dealing with the exact same mess myself, so if anyone's actually curious about the details or wants to vent, feel free to reach out 🙂

Rebecca Miller8 said:I’ve been falling down various internet rabbit holes regarding this topic today and stumbled upon this forum by chance... I’m dealing with the exact same issue, so if anyone wants to chat more about it or needs info, feel free to reach out. 🙂

I’m dealing with the exact same thing with my right arm. I was born in '91 and they basically tore me apart because I was such a big baby. For my first 15 years, I was in physical therapy literally every single day. Things improved a lot after puberty, though. I went to see all the top orthopedic specialists and physiotherapists in America, and I finally got a concrete plan from Dr. Peharec in San Francisco. He told me he could open up the tendon, insert a plastic insert, and grind down the elbow so I could actually straighten my arm. My shoulder is also misaligned by 30 degrees, which would require another surgery that carries a small risk of total paralysis in the arm. I was about 16 at the time, and he just looked at me and said, "Look, you're young and beautiful—just go ahead and swim this summer, then come see me when you're 30 if it starts bothering you while you're carrying your baby 😂."