Plexitis of the shoulder joint is an inflammatory disease in which the nerve plexus, formed by the thoracic and lower cervical spinal nerves, is damaged. This plexus is located between the muscles that provide the binding of the chest to the neck. The defeat can affect both the entire plexus, and some of it.
Causes of Shoulder Joint Plexitis
The causes of plexitis of the shoulder joint can be very diverse:
- long stay in an uncomfortable position (for example, during sleep or working at a computer), the consequence of which is the compression of the nerves;
- dislocation of the shoulder joint, fracture of the clavicle , sprain or injury in the region of the cervical roots (traumatic or posttraumatic plexitis of the shoulder joint);
- supercooling;
- infectious diseases (including viral);
- prolonged physical activity;
- defeat of lymph nodes.
Also, this pathology can be a complication of gout or osteochondrosis of the thoracic or cervical spine. Often, the disease is observed in patients with diabetes mellitus.
Symptoms of shoulder plexitis
The main symptom of the plexitis of the shoulder joint is strong pain. Acute pain is localized in the clavicle and irradiates into the arm. The most intense pain is felt at night, as well as during movement (especially when raising your arm up or putting it behind your head).
Over time, the pain becomes even stronger, so that a person can not lie down on the affected shoulder. There is a decrease in the sensitivity of the skin, a violation of tendon reflexes. The arm grows dumb, swells, the strength of the muscles of the hand decreases. In patients, minor motor skills are disrupted - it becomes impossible to lift and hold objects in the hand, fasten buttons, open the lock, etc. In severe and neglected cases, complete loss of sensitivity, the appearance of paresis and paralysis, and atrophy of the muscles of the hand are possible.
Diagnosis of shoulder plexitis
When diagnosing, in addition to a neurological examination, instrumental diagnostic methods are used:
- X-ray;
- Ultrasound;
- electroneuromyography;
- magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography.
When suspected of plexitis of the shoulder joint, such pathologies as arthritis, periarthritis, polyneuritis, cervical radiculitis, etc. should be excluded.
How to treat shoulder plexitis?
If symptoms of plexitis of the shoulder joint are detected and the diagnosis is confirmed, treatment should be started immediately. The outcome of the disease depends on how early the therapy is started.
The main medical measures for plexitis of the shoulder joint are:
1. Drug therapy, which may include the use of:
- analgesics;
- anti-inflammatory drugs;
- preparations for the recovery of nerve conduction;
- funds that improve blood circulation and tissue nutrition;
- antibacterial drugs (in the bacterial nature of the lesion);
- anticholinesterase drugs (with motor dysfunctions);
- vitamin preparations (vitamins B1, B12).
2. Thermal procedures:
- electrophoresis;
- mud applications;
- paraffin packs.
3. Physiotherapeutic methods of treatment:
- ultrasound;
- cryotherapy;
- laser therapy;
- magnetotherapy.
4. Massage, therapeutic gymnastics.
From non-traditional methods of treatment of this pathology are quite effective:
- hirudotherapy ( treatment with leeches );
- acupuncture;
- homeopathy.
Immediately after remission of acute phenomena in the plexitis of the shoulder joint, a massage is recommended, the purpose of which is:
- reduction and elimination of pain;
- activation of blood and lymph circulation;
- improving conduction of nerve trunks;
- restoration of sensitivity and functions of the affected muscles of the hand.
With this disease, a neck massage is performed, the arms of the shoulder on the affected side. Be sure to massage the zone of the scapula, supra- and subclavian fossa.