Neuritis is an inflammatory disease of the peripheral nerves. There are several types of neuritis, among them - the neuritis of the radial nerve, which occurs when the largest branch of the brachial plexus of the arm is affected.
Symptoms of neuritis of the radial nerve
Neuritis of the radial nerve can manifest itself in different ways, depending on the localization of the lesion. So, for the process at the level of the upper third of the shoulder or in the armpit, such signs are characteristic:
- impossibility of extension of the hand and forearm, as well as the removal of the thumb;
- difficulty bending the arm in the elbow joint;
- feeling of numbness or tingling and decreased sensitivity of the skin of the first, second and partly third fingers;
- dangling hands with arms outstretched forward, impossibility to remove the thumb and turn the affected hand palm up.
When the inflammatory process is localized in the middle third of the shoulder, the extension of the forearm and the extensor elbow reflex are not violated. If the neuritis develops in the lower third of the shoulder or upper part of the forearm, the extension of the hand and fingers becomes impossible, a decrease in sensitivity is observed only on the back of the hand.
As a result of motor disorders, the function of the upper limb is almost completely lost.
Causes of neuritis of the radial neuro
The most common cause of this ailment is a forearm injury (posttraumatic neuritis of the radial nerve). Also, damage to the nerve can occur due to its squeezing during deep sleep - for example, by the body or head lying on the arm. Or it may be the result of prolonged pressure on the nerve of the crutch in the armpit, a tourniquet (superimposed when the bleeding stops ). In rare cases, the disease is associated with intoxication of the body and various infections, as well as with hypothermia.
Treatment of neuritis of the radial nerve
Treatment of neuritis of the radial nerve provides for a comprehensive approach. It includes:
- physiotherapy (ultrasound, pulse currents, UHF, electrophoresis, acupuncture , etc.) - for analgesia and nerve regeneration;
- LFK at a neuritis of a radial nerve - a complex of exercises,
which is selected individually depending on the localization and severity of the process and aimed at restoring the affected nerve trunk by improving its blood supply, as well as to prevent paralysis and build muscle strength; - massage with neuritis of the radial nerve - includes massage of the cervicothoracic spine and massage of the entire limb.
In this case, with the help of longi, the wrist joint and the finger joints of the hand are fixed. Medicament therapy can also be used - for example, if the neuritis is caused by an infection.