The term "brachial plexus plexitis" refers to an inflammatory process that affects a bundle of nerve cells located in this area. Pathology can occur against the background of many provoking factors. Plexitis is an inflammation of the brachial plexus, which can be diagnosed in people of any age and gender. With the timely intervention of doctors, the prognosis in most cases is favorable. Ignoring the disease leads to total immobilization of not only the shoulder joint, but also the entire limb. If you have any warning signs, you need to contact a neurologist. Another name for the pathology is brachioplexitis.
Development mechanism
The brachial plexus in humans is represented by the first pectoral root and branches of the spinal nerves (lower cervical). Normally, the latter provide a connection between the tissues of the upper extremities and the central nervous system. Under the influence of various provoking factors, this process is disrupted. Gradually, changes in muscle, bone and cartilage tissue occur.
The pathological process can be either single or double-sided. In the absence of adequate treatment, complications develop. The most common consequence of brachial plexus plexitis is atrophy of the muscles of the right arm or left limb. With timely treatment, as a rule, recovery occurs.
According to the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10), the plexitis of the brachial plexus is assigned the code G54.0.
Causes
Pathology can occur when both external and internal provoking factors are exposed to the body. In this regard, the plexitis of the brachial plexus is classified into the following types:
- Infectious. In this case, the cause of the disease becomes harmful compounds secreted by pathogens in the process of their life. The most common triggering agents are pathogens of tuberculosis, influenza, herpes and cytomegaloviruses.
- Post-traumatic. Plexitis of the brachial plexus in such cases is the result of various kinds of damage to the neurovascular bundle. This can happen with fractures, sprains, dislocations. In addition, this type of ailment includes injuries sustained by the child during the delivery process, as well as injuries that occurred during the implementation of professional activities.
- Infectious and allergic. It is a negative consequence of the introduction of a preventive vaccine.
- Toxic. It develops against the background of poisoning of the body with alcohol-containing drinks, mercury and salts of heavy metals.
- Dysmetabolic. It is a consequence of endocrine disorders. The most common causes of plexitis of the brachial plexus are: gout, diabetes mellitus, thyroid pathology.
- Compression ischemic. The process of developing the ailment starts when squeezing the neurovascular bundle while the upper limb is in a position that is not physiological for it. As a rule, this occurs in the postoperative period (when the action of anesthesia has not stopped yet), with improper immobilization of the injured limb, and with the use of incorrectly selected crutches.
In addition, the following conditions are the triggering factors for the development of the disease:
- hypothermia;
- violation of posture;
- osteochondrosis of the cervical or thoracic;
- a lifestyle that does not imply virtually no physical activity.
In childhood, plexitis of the brachial plexus is a consequence of past pathologies of an infectious nature or birth trauma.
Symptoms
The first alarming sign is pain. Depending on their location, plexitis can be lower, upper and total. In the first case, discomfort is most pronounced in the elbow and forearm. The upper form of the disease is manifested by pain in the area above the collarbone. Total brachial plexitis plexitis is characterized by severe discomfort in the entire limb. Painful sensations can be boring, aching or breaking character. Often, patients complain of frequent episodes of "lumbago".
In addition, the following conditions are signs of pathology:
- Weakening of muscle tissue and impaired motor skills are the main symptoms of the disease. Plexitis of the shoulder joint in this case is accompanied by difficulties when trying to perform any motor activity of the affected limb. It becomes extremely difficult to perform standard household tasks.
- Change in the condition of the skin. The patient has swelling and blanching of the tissues. Moreover, the skin in the area affected by plexitis of the joint is cyanotic, it is cold to the touch.
- Increased sweating in the palms.
- Fragility of nails.
- Decreased limb sensitivity.
In addition, signs of the disease include the following conditions not associated with the shoulder joint: frequent episodes of severe hiccups, shortness of breath, narrowed pupil, and an eyeball that is sunken on the affected side (rarely).
Features of the course
Plexitis has 2 stages of development:
- Neuralgic. In such cases, patients complain of pain in the muscle tissue and skin. The severity of discomfort increases when you try to make a limb any movement.
- Paralytic. It is characterized by swelling and weakness of muscle tissue. Atrophy occurs at this stage, paralysis occurs.
Thus, untimely treatment leads to complete immobilization of the limb.
Laboratory methods for diagnosing ailment
If disturbing symptoms occur, you should consult a neurologist. In the process of admission, the doctor will conduct a survey and examine the patient. Based on the results of the initial diagnosis, a specialist can refer you to other narrow specialists: a traumatologist, arthrologist, orthopedist, infectious disease specialist, oncologist, urologist or gynecologist.
To confirm or exclude the presence of plexitis of the brachial plexus, the doctor prescribes blood tests for:
- sugar;
- rheumatoid factor;
- C-reactive protein.
In addition, clinical and biochemical analyzes of fluid connective tissue are performed.
Instrumental diagnostic methods
The most informative are the following studies:
- Neuromyography.
- CT
- MRI
- Electromyography.
- Ultrasound
- X-ray examination.
The disease always differentiates with other pathologies of the plexus, as well as with mono- and polyneuropathy.
Drug therapy
Information on how to treat shoulder plexitis should always be provided by a neurologist or other specialized specialists. Only a doctor can choose the most effective means, based on the results of a comprehensive diagnosis.
Initially, the affected limb is fixed to the patient using a plaster cast. The following shows medication. The following actions should be included in the treatment regimen:
- Painkillers. Examples: Oxadol, Analgin, Novocain, Aspizol.
- NSAIDs. Any form of their release (tablets, ointments, creams, injections) can be used. In most cases, doctors prescribe drugs based on nimesulide, indomethacin and diclofenac.
- Vitamins A, E, C, group B. Examples of drugs: Aevit, Milgamma, Neurovitan.
- Anticholinesterase drugs, for example, Proserinum, Kalimin, Invalin.
- Decongestants. Examples of medicines: "Beckoning", urea-based products.
- Drugs designed to improve tissue nutrition. These include: “Lidase”, “Potassium orotate”, “Nicotinic acid”, “Nerobol”.
- Microcirculatory stimulants. Examples: Trental, Complmin.
At the same time as taking medications, reflexology, physiotherapy, and hirudotherapy, as well as gymnastics and massage, are prescribed. As a rule, brachioplexitis (brachial plexus plexitis) lends itself well to conservative treatment. In rare cases, an operation is performed.
Surgical intervention
The implementation of plastic surgery of the nervous tissue is advisable only in the presence of the following indications: neoplasms of both benign and malignant nature; hematoma. If bone fragments are present in the body, the treatment of plexitis of the brachial plexus is also carried out surgically.
Physiotherapy
The set of exercises is designed specifically to alleviate the condition of the patient and accelerate recovery. Classes can be held in any comfortable conditions. The basic rule is regularity.
Effective set of exercises:
- Take a standing or sitting position. Straighten your back, straighten your shoulders. Slowly lower and raise the shoulder blades.
- The situation is the same (sitting or standing). Slowly raise and lower your shoulders.
- Bend your elbows. Perform circular movements with them, using the shoulder joint. Repeat the exercise, but with arms straightened and arms apart.
- Take a standing position. It is necessary to tilt the body to the left, then to the right. At the same time, it is necessary to make circular rotations of the shoulder joint.
- From a standing position, tilt the torso forward. In this case, it is necessary to bend the arms at the elbows.
- Take a sitting or standing position. Extend your arms in front of you. Turn your palms up and down.
- Bend the affected limb and carefully lay aside.
Initially, the duration of the training should be from 5 to 7 minutes. The number of repetitions of each exercise is 2-4. Gradually, the duration of classes must be increased. In this case, the number of repetitions should be from 6 to 8.
All exercises must be performed slowly. Making sudden movements is unacceptable. It is also forbidden to engage in the presence of pronounced painful sensations.
Folk methods
Treatment of plexitis of the brachial plexus in non-traditional ways is acceptable, but only after the permission of the doctor. This is due to the fact that some medicinal products can worsen the course of pathology or reduce the effectiveness of drugs.
The most effective recipes:
- Take 2 tbsp. l dry and chopped chamomile flowers. Pour them with 0.5 liters of boiling water. The remedy must be infused for 45 minutes. A day you need to consume no more than 300 ml. In addition, the tool can be used as a compress.
- Take 0.5 tsp. propolis and 100 g of slightly melted butter. Mix the ingredients thoroughly. Rub the mixture daily into the affected shoulder. To achieve maximum efficiency, it is recommended to cover the skin with cotton cloth and a warm scarf from above.
- Prepare a decoction based on mint, burdock root, string, sage, hypericum, marigold, chamomile. The amount of each healing plant is 1 tbsp. l Pour a mixture of herbs with 1 liter of water, boil for 10 minutes. The resulting product is added to the bath. The duration of the procedure is 15 minutes.
The regular use of folk methods significantly speeds up the healing process.
Forecast
Plexitis of the brachial plexus is a pathology that is successfully treated with timely access to a doctor. A competent approach by a specialist and strict adherence to his recommendations by the patient is the key to a quick and successful recovery.
In advanced cases, the question of the advisability of surgical intervention is resolved, since conservative methods are not always lead to a positive result.
If you ignore the problem, complete paralysis of the limb may occur.
Prevention
In order to prevent the development of plexitis of the brachial plexus, it is necessary to control body weight, treat endocrine pathologies in a timely manner, regularly perform simple physical exercises, properly organize a sleeping place and strengthen the body's defenses. In addition, workers whose professional activities are associated with high-intensity loads on the joints of the upper extremities need to take a short break every 2-3 hours.
Finally
Plexitis of the brachial plexus is an inflammatory process in which damage occurs to nerve cells located in this area. The causes of the ailment are very diverse: from injuries to diseases of an infectious nature. When the first alarming signs appear, you need to contact a neurologist. The doctor will prescribe a comprehensive examination, the results of which will be the most effective treatment regimen.