Chiropractic management of a geriatric patient with idiopathic neuralgic amyotrophy: a case report

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this paper is to describe chiropractic management of a patient with neuralgic amyotrophy (NA) and to provide discussion regarding presentation, differential diagnosis, management and prognosis of idiopathic NA. Case presentation: An 85 year old Caucasian male presented to a chiropractic clinic with right periscapular and lateral rib cage pain. The patient had previously sought evaluation and treatment from multiple health care providers and underwent multiple interventions without relief. Intervention and outcome: The patient was managed with a course of chiropractic care and an ongoing home exercise program was carried out. The patient reported spontaneous resolution of pain approximately 14 months post onset. Summary: NA is a poorly known clinical entity amongst health care providers and poses challenges in timely and proper diagnosis. Recognition of NA is important for patients to be best managed and for more optimal patient outcomes to be achieved. Keywords: chiropractic, neuralgic amoytraophy, Parsonage-Turner syndrome, brachial neuritis