Chiropractic management of a 30-year-old patient with Parsonage-Turner syndrome

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this case report is to describe the chiropractic management of a patient presenting with right arm paralysis and a diagnosis of Parsonage-Turner syndrome. Clinical Features: After receiving nerve entrapment release surgery, a 30-year-old man presented with a right arm contracture, atrophy, and weakness with general paralysis of the forearm and index finger of 6 weeks' duration. Intervention and Outcome: The patient was provided chiropractic care that included highvelocity/low-amplitude spinal manipulation based upon applied kinesiology manual muscle testing, soft tissue trigger point therapy, exercises, and stretches. The patient demonstrated improvement in range of motion after the first treatment session. By the eighth treatment, he was able to fully straighten his arm. Three years later, the patient reported that he was able to do mountain climbing and that his arm was fully functional and pain-free. Conclusion: For this patient, chiropractic care seemed to be successful in relieving his right arm paralysis and restoring normal arm movement.

Musculoskeletal changes and pain in Parsonage Turner syndrome patients: integrative review

“…Eight patients presented muscle alteration in the form of edema, associated with signs of hyperactivity, and the infraspinal and supraspinal muscles were the most affected 6 . A case report showed that PTS compromises functionality due to loss of mobility in the elbow region, forcing continuous maintenance of the flexion position 10 . A clinical trial showed that there is no consensus in the literature about which was the most affected peripheral nerve, which justifies the variety of symptoms and muscles affected by PTS 1 .…”

“…The conditions of patients with PTS are varied, so diagnosing the syndrome is a challenge 10 . In that sense, the knowledge of health professionals about the manifestations of PTS is essential for proper diagnosis and treatment.…”