What is Biker’s Arm?

Biker’s Arm in a Motorcycle Accident

In recent years, there had been a significant push to increase people’s safety while riding motorcycles. This has resulted in increased helmet and safety gear use that not only prevents injuries but also saves lives. Unfortunately, there are still thousands of people who are injured while riding motorcycles every year. These injuries can include bone fractures, traumatic brain injuries, and nerve damage. Biker’s arm is one of the most common traumatic injuries that people suffer in a motorcycle accident. While many people will make a full recovery following this injury, others might be left with residual complications.

An Overview of Biker’s Arm

Biker’s arm is the medical term used to describe nerve damage of the upper limb. This injury occurs when riders try to lay down their motorcycle during an accident. The weight of the rider and the bike can compress the upper arm with a force over 400 pounds. When this happens, severe nerve damage can result. Some examples of nerve injuries include:

• The Ulnar Nerve: This nerve provides motor and sensory innervation to the fingers.
• The Median Nerve: The median nerve provides motor signals to the forearm and the base of the hand.
• The Radial Nerve: This nerve powers the movements of the back of the hand and triceps.

These nerve injuries can be severe and can present in a variety of ways. Damage to these nerves can impact someone’s ability to go to work, attend school, and even do work around the house.

The Symptoms of this Injury

This injury sometimes presents with delayed symptoms, making it difficult for someone to connect the signs to an accident that took place in the crash. Some of the symptoms that might indicate nerve damage in the upper arm include:

• Pain: Pain from this injury often presents as a burning or throbbing sensation in the upper arm. Other individuals have described this pain as shooting or radiating down the upper arm.
• Weakness: People often notice that their injured arm is far weaker than the uninjured limb. This discrepancy should raise a red flag.
• Numbness: Individuals with this condition also describe numbness in specific locations around the arm. Others describe it as a “pins and needles” sensation.

All of these symptoms should raise suspicions of a nerve injury. Individuals who experience these symptoms after a motorcycle accident should see a doctor and receive appropriate medical care.

The Treatment of an Upper Arm Injury: Nerve Damage

When someone presents to the doctor with symptoms such as those above, the doctor will perform a detailed physical exam. He or she is going to test the motor and sensory function of the various nerves that power the arm. The goal is to decide which nerve or nerves have been compromised.

After this, the doctor will probably order imaging tests. This might include an x-ray, CT scan, or an MRI. The doctor might also perform nerve conduction studies to better characterize the degree of nerve damage. After this, the doctor may recommend medical therapy or a surgical procedure to help with the recovery. It may take time; however, many people who suffer from biker’s arm have a favorable prognosis.

Watch YouTube Video: How Common are Motorcycle Accidents? What Statistics Indicate Regarding Motorcycle Crashes. The following video discusses the statistics on motorcycle accidents and the likelihood of riders being involved in a fatal crash.

Sacramento Motorcycle Accident Attorney

I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento motorcycle accident attorney. Biker’s arm is an injury that might damage the nerves of the upper limb in a motorcycle collision. If someone you care about has suffered an arm injury following a motorcycle accident, please contact me today at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for free, friendly legal advice.