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 high-velocity/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.

Key indexing term: Kinesiology, applied, Chiropractic, Manipulation, spinal, Brachial plexus neuritis