1/7. Adhesive capsulitis of the glenohumeral joint with an unusual neuropathic presentation: a case report.A 37-yr-old woman presented with a 7-mo history of unilateral shoulder girdle stiffness, pain, and weakness and had already been diagnosed with frozen shoulder. physical examination revealed scapular winging and suspicious focal paralysis of shoulder girdle muscles. Subsequently, electrodiagnostic studies reported denervation of deltoid, infraspinatus, serratus anterior, and lower cervical paraspinal muscles, in addition to a prolonged long thoracic nerve latency. The history, physical examination, and cervical magnetic resonance imaging scan seemed most consistent with neuralgic amyotrophy, although the electrodiagnostic examination could be interpreted as cervical radiculopathy. Some of the difficulties in identifying neuralgic amyotrophy and distinguishing it from cervical radiculopathy are discussed herein. Historically, frozen shoulder has seemed to develop as a complication of the neuropathic process. Both neuralgic amyotrophy and frozen shoulder have a poorly understood pathogenesis, and their combined presence is presumed to be rare. Because of difficulties inherent in the physical examination of frozen shoulder, a coexistent neuropathic process may go undetected.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/7. Acute brachial plexus neuritis: an uncommon cause of shoulder pain.patients with acute brachial plexus neuritis are often misdiagnosed as having cervical radiculopathy. Acute brachial plexus neuritis is an uncommon disorder characterized by severe shoulder and upper arm pain followed by marked upper arm weakness. The temporal profile of pain preceding weakness is important in establishing a prompt diagnosis and differentiating acute brachial plexus neuritis from cervical radiculopathy. magnetic resonance imaging of the shoulder and upper arm musculature may reveal denervation within days, allowing prompt diagnosis. electromyography, conducted three to four weeks after the onset of symptoms, can localize the lesion and help confirm the diagnosis. Treatment includes analgesics and physical therapy, with resolution of symptoms usually occurring in three to four months. patients with cervical radiculopathy present with simultaneous pain and neurologic deficits that fit a nerve root pattern. This differentiation is important to avoid unnecessary surgery for cervical spondylotic changes in a patient with a plexitis.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.5keywords = physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/7. Cervical radiculopathy or Parsonage-turner syndrome: differential diagnosis of a patient with neck and upper extremity symptoms.STUDY DESIGN: Resident's case problem. BACKGROUND: The signs and symptoms of cervical radiculopathy (CR) warrant the consideration of several other conditions in CR's differential diagnosis. One condition that may mimic CR, which is not well known amongst physical therapists, is Parsonage-turner syndrome (PTS). PTS is characterized by an onset of intense pain that typically subsides within days to weeks. However, as pain subsides, weakness and/or paralysis may develop in upper extremity muscles. The purpose of this resident's case problem is to describe a patient who presented to our clinic with a diagnosis of CR, but had findings consistent with PTS. diagnosis: The patient was a 43-year-old male referred to physical therapy with a diagnosis of CR. He had a previous episode of CR 1 year ago that was treated successfully. He had positive magnetic resonance imaging findings of structural abnormalities suggestive of causative factors for CR. The patient was treated for CR with thoracic and cervical spine manipulations and intermittent cervical traction. The initial acute severe pain subsided, but weakness in the upper extremity worsened. diagnosis of PTS was made upon exclusion of other potential confounding diagnoses and the findings of fibrillation potentials and positive waves in electrodiagnostic studies. DISCUSSION: CR and PTS are characterized by pain in the cervical spine, shoulder, and upper extremity. CR generally has an insidious onset, while PTS has a rapid onset of intense pain. Symptoms of CR are exacerbated with neck movements, while symptoms related to PTS should not be exacerbated with neck movements. In patients that do not respond to conventional therapy and have a progression of upper extremity muscle weakness, regardless of decreased pain, the diagnosis of PTS should be considered.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/7. Idiopathic neuralgic amyotrophy: an illustrative case report.OBJECTIVE: To describe the case of a patient diagnosed with neuralgic amyotrophy (NA) illustrating pertinent aspects of differential diagnosis, the use of clinical neurophysiological procedures to aid in establishing the diagnosis, and issues of management. CLINICAL FEATURES: A 39-year-old male soldier presented with a rapid onset of marked loss of left shoulder movement. This started acutely early one morning as a sharp, severe lower neck pain progressing over the following 2 weeks to a less severe dull ache in the left shoulder and arm. Pain was rapidly replaced with weakness. physical examination and electrodiagnostic investigation helped establish a diagnosis of NA. INTERVENTION AND OUTCOME: The patient was reassured that this is normally a self-limiting condition. Range of motion exercises progressing to a strengthening program was prescribed. He was progressing well; however, we lost contact because of his commitments in the armed service. CONCLUSION: When a patient presents with shoulder and arm pain of neurogenic origin, NA should be a consideration. Differentiating NA from radiculopathy is especially important in making management decisions. With a careful history and physical examination, the diagnosis may be made without the need for ancillary investigations. Neuralgic amyotrophy is a self-limiting condition requiring reassurance and monitoring.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.5keywords = physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |
5/7. Physical therapy management of isolated serratus anterior muscle paralysis.This case report presents a patient who developed right shoulder pain following strenuous upper-extremity exercise. Approximately 6 weeks later his pain resolved, he noticed persistent right upper-extremity weakness. He was referred to physical therapy for evaluation and treatment. Physical therapy evaluation revealed isolated serratus anterior muscle paralysis. A long thoracic neuropathy was subsequently confirmed by electromyographic testing. The etiology, pathophysiology, and pathokinesiology of serratus anterior muscle paralysis are reviewed. A case is presented, illustrating how the clinical decision making is based on the pathokinesiology and pathophysiology. The patient was followed over the course of 17 months and has recovered full right shoulder active range of motion. His serratus anterior muscle strength has increased to Good minus, and he reports significantly improved functional use of the upper extremity.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.5keywords = physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |
6/7. Neuralgic amyotrophy presenting to an accident and emergency department.Two patients with neuralgic amyotrophy (Parsonage-turner syndrome) are described. Problems arising from the shoulder girdle commonly present to accident and emergency (A&E) departments. Neuralgic amyotrophy is an infrequent neuromuscular disorder which predominantly affects the shoulder girdle. Characterised by severe pain followed by muscle weakness, atrophy, and variable sensory deficits, the diagnosis is based on history and physical findings and is confirmed by electromyography. The prognosis is excellent and treatment is supportive using analgesia and physiotherapy.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.5keywords = physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |
7/7. occupational therapy intervention with radiation-induced brachial plexopathy.occupational therapy intervention minimizes disability and facilitates optimum functional independence. The range of dysfunction experienced by patients with radiation-induced brachial plexopathy includes physical, psychological, emotional and social difficulties. The occupational therapist works as part of the multiprofessional team to use a client-centred, problem-solving approach to address the problems and enable the patient to adapt to the altered body image and disabilities.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.5keywords = physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |