BRACHIAL NEURITIS

Brachial Neuritis is a form of peripheral neuropathy that affects the brachial plexus, a network of nerves that travels from the spinal cord to the chest, shoulder, arms and hands.  The disorder generally starts with a sudden onset of severe pain in the shoulder or upper arm.  It generally affects only one side of the body and as the disorder progresses, it can lead to generalized weakness, numbness and muscle atrophy of the affected side. 

The cause of Brachial Neuritis is unknown, but the onset of the disorder has been associated with immunization, recent illness, surgery and trauma to the affected area.  Symptoms can resolve over the course of several weeks but can extend to years in some circumstances.  The diagnosis is generally made after the performance of a nerve conduction study and or electromyography (“EMG”).

Other names for Brachial Neuritis include Parsonage-Turner syndrome, Brachial Plexitis, Brachial Plexopathy, Neuralgic Amyotrophy and Brachial Neuropathy.