When the large nerve plexuses in the human body become inflamed, then we are talking about plexitis. The nerve plexuses include the brachial, cervical and lumbosacral. At risk are people of any age. The disease rarely occurs in newborns. Refusal of medical care, lack of proper treatment can cause a person's disability, and plexitis is to blame. What is it, we will tell further.
The main groups of people prone to plexitis
Plexitis of the joint occurs not only in the elderly. Of course, with age, the bones and joints undergo changes and weaken, but this does not mean that all older people suffer from plexitis. The same problems can occur in young people. It seems that bones, cartilage and joints change in different ways for everyone. What changes are occurring?
Doctors divide people with joint problems into three separate groups. The main group includes women aged 30 to 50 years. This age line is characterized by hormonal changes, an imbalance of mineral salts, and weight gain. The result of these reasons can be plexitis. What is it said above.
The second group includes people who have a congenital predisposition to joint diseases. These are people with pathologies of joint development.
People who, for one reason or another, have acquired systemic diseases, for example, associated with connective tissue, belong to the third group. Most often, therapist or orthopedist deals with the treatment of such patients, but in the end people still get to see a surgeon.
These are the three main groups of people who sooner or later have plexitis. Symptoms of this disease are individual for everyone. There are people whose illness is the result of a certain injury or damage.
Causality
Brachial plexitis or joint diseases can occur as a result of exposure to various factors.
Infectious etiology is the most common cause, but in addition to it, the following factors affect:
- A long stay of a person in an uncomfortable position. From tension, the shoulder joint begins to squeeze, resulting in pinching of the nerve plexuses. The risk group includes bedridden patients and people whose employment is of a specific nature.
- Mechanical damage to peripheral nerve fibers due to trauma to the upper limbs or cervical spine.
- Irregular, curved posture.
- Metabolic disorders such as diabetes mellitus or gout.
- Osteochondrosis of the thoracic and cervical spine.
In children, plexitis of the shoulder joint may also occur . Symptoms, treatment, and diagnosis are different from adults.
Symptomatology
Unfortunately, in medical practice there are rare cases when brachial plexitis, and joint diseases in general, are completely cured. And all this despite the rapid development of modern medicine, the use of the latest means of examining patients. The whole blame is the neglect of people with their own health.
Few people pay attention to minor pain in the shoulders, neck or back. But it is precisely pain in the shoulder that characterizes, for example, plexitis of the shoulder joint. Symptoms of all joint diseases are similar.
Improve the prognosis for plexitis will help timely specialist assistance. Careful attitude to your health and competent consultation of a specialist will significantly improve the prognosis for plexitis. So what are the signs of brachial plexitis? Symptoms may include:
- numbness of the hands, as a result of which the fingers lose their sensitivity;
- swelling of the hands;
- pain intensifies during physical work;
- weakening of fine motor skills of the hands;
- the appearance of spots on the skin;
- paralysis or paresis.
If you notice at least some of the above symptoms, then you must urgently go to the doctor for an examination.
Plexitis pathogenesis
A disease such as shoulder plexitis can lead to complete disability of the patient. Symptoms, treatment of joint diseases in each patient are individual. As a result of squeezing the nerve plexuses, a person loses his ability to work, it is difficult for him to perform the usual daily actions, for example combing, raising a child, brushing his teeth.
There is a lower, upper and total plexitis. It all depends on the level of damage. The most common lesion of the working arm.
The mechanism of the development of the disease goes through two main stages, which have their manifestations or symptoms - neuralgic and paralytic. Pain syndrome is characteristic of the neuralgic stage, but a decrease in muscle strength is observed with paralytic plexitis.
Varieties
The classification of plexitis is quite extensive. Depending on the site of inflammation, there are:
- shoulder plexitis - a process that spreads throughout the arm;
- damage to the cervical spine;
- lumbar or sacral inflammation - a process that can affect the lower limb;
- coccygeal plexitis is a rare disorder.
There is also a classification by distribution method. This may include:
- unilateral process - the left or right limb is affected;
- bilateral - characterized by lesions of the limbs on both sides.
The disorder of the nerve plexuses is divided into types characterized by the severity of the course:
- partial lesions - individual nerve trunks suffer;
- total - the entire nervous structure is affected.
Disease detection
Visually, it is difficult to confirm whether there is brachial plexitis. Symptoms and treatment of this disorder are similar to some joint diseases. Diagnosis is carried out by a specialist by studying the history, identifying the causes of pain, the severity of the disorder and symptoms. A thorough examination of the patient, his skin, assessment of nails and muscle strength is performed.
Laboratory tests are also carried out, which include blood and urine tests. Internal examination is carried out using ultrasound and x-ray machines:
- Ultrasound examination of the pelvic organs.
- Electroneurography is necessary to clarify the speed of movement of nerve impulses.
- Electromyography allows you to evaluate muscle activity and strength.
- X-ray of the affected area.
- Magnetic resonance imaging.
In addition, you will need the advice of specialists such as a gynecologist, urologist, orthopedist, oncologist and neurosurgeon. The participation of all doctors is necessary to differentiate plexitis from other disorders that have similar symptoms.
Therapeutic measures
Plexitis - what is it? Can I get rid of the disease? Since plexitis is a complex of joint disorders, treatment takes a long time. First of all, it is necessary to ensure complete rest for the affected arm. For this, plaster casts and other orthopedic products are used. The specialist prescribes a course of analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs.
Therapeutic measures acquire a completely different character when the period of remission begins and the symptoms of the disorder disappear. The treatment process includes massage, a vitamin complex, exercise and physiotherapy.
Progress of treatment is possible only with a complex effect on the causes of plexitis.
Drug treatment
Drug treatment is also carried out comprehensively. It is aimed primarily at reducing the inflammatory process and relieving pain. Most often, anti-inflammatory tablets and gels are prescribed ("Diclofenac", "Nimesulide", "Ketoprofen").
Vitamin treatment involves the intake of B vitamins, which help to normalize blood circulation and improve trophic nerve tissue.
In addition to drug treatment, specialists prescribe courses of reflexology, electromyostimulation, laser therapy, electrophoresis, etc.
ethnoscience
The recipes of traditional medicine are also quite effective when it comes to joint diseases, including plexitis of the shoulder joint. Symptoms, treatment with folk remedies are a great addition to a conservative treatment method. Local folk therapy includes the following recipes:
- Mummy and alcohol solution with a high content of this substance. With this tool, the joint is rubbed daily for 5 minutes. In addition, the mummy is perfect for the prevention of joint diseases.
- Natural products from apiary. An effective tool in the fight against plexitis is considered propolis, coupled with pork fat. To prepare a therapeutic ointment, you need to mix two ingredients in a ratio of 1:10.
- Saline solutions are a less financially expensive treatment option. It is enough to stock up with gauze, water and salt. 50 grams of salt is added to a glass of water. In solution, gauze is wetted and applied to the affected area.
- A good reducing agent is a decoction of white willow bark. The broth is prepared in the usual way (the grass is boiled over with boiling water). A piece of gauze is impregnated with the resulting liquid and applied to the sore spot.
Inside treatment
Therapy involves not only local effects on the causes of plexitis. Drinking broths based on natural ingredients significantly improve well-being:
- Chamomile decoction reduces inflammation, has calming and restorative effects. The daily rate of decoction should not exceed 500 ml.
- Corn stigmas are famous for their anti-inflammatory effect. To prepare the broth, you need to pour 4 large tablespoons of raw materials into 500 ml of water. The mixture is infused for 5-10 minutes in a water bath. The daily norm is 180 ml.
Healing baths are no less effective in the fight against plexitis. In water, it is desirable to add decoctions of herbs such as mint, string, burdock.
Prevention and prognosis
What is dangerous plexitis, what is it and how to treat it, we said above. And what preventive measures should be applied? Experts recommend adhering to the following rules:
- annually undergo examination by a doctor;
- monitor nutrition and weight;
- just move and perform basic exercises for the arms and legs;
- temper the body;
- sleep at least 7-8 hours a day on a comfortable orthopedic mattress.
The prognosis of the disorder largely depends on the course of the process and associated diseases. A complete cure is possible with a timely visit to a specialist. But the advanced stage of plexitis does not lend itself to a complete cure, it is only possible to weaken its symptoms.