A neurological condition called Parsonage-Turner syndrome (brachial neuritis) is characterized by sudden, intense shoulder pain followed by extreme weakness. Your nerves are damaged, which results in weakness, but it is unclear what exactly causes that damage. The healing process could take months. Parsonage-Turner syndrome can affect up to three persons out of every 100,000 people annually. Men are more impacted than women. Although small kids, as well as older people, have also been known to have it, young to middle-aged individuals are more prone to contract it.

 

Introduction:

 

Brachial neuritis, another name for Parsonage-Turner syndrome, is characterized by the rapid onset of shoulder and upper arm pain, which is followed by severe upper arm weakening or atrophy. People who have the illness may show symptoms weeks or even months after getting hurt, getting infected, getting vaccinated, or even when there is no obvious trigger. Pharmacological painkillers and physical therapy are examples of symptomatic treatment. Even though affected persons may have months or years of paralysis in the affected areas, the outlook is generally good, with most people fully recovering within two years.

The pain is frequently unconnected to an actual injury and is felt along the course of one or more nerves. It starts at the base of the spine and braids itself like a braid across the side of the neck, behind the collarbone, to the arm. The mobility of the shoulder, arm, forearm, elbow, hand, and wrist is controlled by the brachial plexus nerves, which also transmit sensation from the forearm to the spinal cord. Muscle weakness results from damage to these nerves. Misdiagnosis of Parsonage-Turner syndrome as cervical spondylosis or cervical radiculopathy, respectively, is common.

 

Causes:

 

There is no known etiology for Parsonage-Turner syndrome. However, there are several hypotheses for the illness, including:

• A virus or sickness. A virus or other infection was present for 20% of participants just before developing Parsonage-Turner. It is unknown whether the virus or infection was the actual cause of the sickness. After a COVID-19 infection, there have been a few unusual instances of Parsonage-Turner syndrome.
• 15% of instances reportedly started after a vaccine.
• Trauma to the shoulder can result from a football injury or a motorcycle accident, for instance.
• Malignant cells.
• vaccinations or a compromised immune system.
• Spinal tap (lumbar puncture).
• Recent childbirth, radiation therapy, or surgery.

Parasitic disease.

• Autoimmune diseases and rheumatic diseases.
• Use of heroin.
• Parsonage-Turner syndrome might run in families.

 

Symptoms:

 

Due to individual differences, pain intensity, location, and/or length, as well as weakness, won’t always be the same. Parsonage-Turner syndrome signs can include:

• Sensory loss or numbness. feeling prickly, scorching, or ticklish.
• Partial shoulder joint dislocation. abnormal joint range of motion. The condition known as “winged scapula” causes the shoulder blade to protrude.
• Muscles or tendons become smaller.
• Breathing difficulties (rare). excessive perspiration.
• Hands that are speckled, purple, or red. Swelling.
• Pain that comes on suddenly and is acute, throbbing, searing, or stabbing (rarely gradual).
• One shoulder is hurting (occasionally both shoulders). On the same side as the bothersome shoulder, there may also be discomfort in the neck, arm, and hand. Occasionally, legs can hurt.
• Evening or nighttime are the worst times for pain. Mild pain or excruciating, incapacitating pain is also possible.
• Shoulder weakness that develops days or weeks following the discomfort. The degree of the weakening might range from slight to severe to virtually paralyzing (rare).
• Difficulties with reflexes.

 

Diagnosis:

 

Identification of the Parsonage-Turner syndrome specific symptoms, a thorough clinical evaluation, a full patient history, and a variety of specialized diagnostics all contribute to the diagnosis. The condition of the muscles and the nerves that govern them can be evaluated using specific procedures like electromyography or nerve conduction investigations. The ability of particular nerves in the body’s peripheral nervous system to transmit nerve impulses to the brain is determined by nerve conduction investigations. Electrodes are applied to particular nerves, such as those in the shoulders and arms, during a nerve conduction examination. The electrodes activate the nerves and track the signal’s conduction. The location of the sickness or nerve injury can be determined with the aid of this test.

An electrode is introduced through the skin into the afflicted muscle during electromyography. The electrode logs the muscle’s electrical activity. It is possible to tell from this data whether the nerves that govern a muscle are to blame for weakening in the muscle or whether the muscle itself is to blame. PTS can be identified using the specialized imaging method known as MRI. An MRI creates cross-sectional images of certain organs and body tissues using an electromagnetic field and radio waves. An MRI can help rule out other possible causes of shoulder pain, show atrophy in the affected muscles, and find signal alterations brought on by denervation, a lack of nerve supply.

 

Homeopathic Treatment:

 

When it comes to treating Parsonage-Turner syndrome symptoms, homeopathic remedies are incredibly effective. Homeopathic remedies activate the body’s natural healing process to reduce nerve inflammation and alleviate symptoms like pain, weakness, tingling, and numbness in the arms and shoulders. Any homeopathic medication should be taken under the guidance of a homeopathic doctor, who will recommend the necessary medication following a thorough case review. When a problem is low to moderate in severity, homeopathy is advised; but, in severe circumstances, when an arm is paralyzed or breathing is difficult, immediate assistance from a conventional way of treatment should be sought.

• Rhus Tox – For the Treatment of Pain
• Sanguinaria Can – To Treat Right-sided Shoulder Inflammation And Weakness Hypericum – For Neuritis Linked To Injury
• Using Pulsatilla to Treat Numbness
• For Shoulder Weakness: Picric Acid
• For soreness and numbness in the shoulders on the left shoulder, use chamomilla.
• Phosphorus – To Treat Upper Arm Weakness Bryonia – To Treat Right Shoulder Pain Ledum Pal – To Treat Severe Perforated Shoulder Pain
• Ferrum Met – For Shoulder Pain That Shoots
• Sulphur – For Nighttime Shoulder Pain

 

Precautions:

 

Parsonage-Turner syndrome cannot be prevented, as far as is known. However, it is vital to maintain your health as much as you can by eating a balanced diet and working out (with your doctor’s guidance). There are no known foods that influence Parsonage-Turner syndrome as of yet. It’s challenging to forecast this. From one to person, it differs. It could take weeks or years. Three to four months on average. Some people experience pain relief and regain their strength without medical intervention.