Re: Question - Mike - Anyone

[Guest guest]

Let's take things from the top. We have already had some pretty

detailed discussions on what TOS is.

Again citing Rattray, here is the definition of the Brachial Plexus

itself. The general anatomical area is the neck and shoulder.

" This network of nerves extends from the neck to the axilla. The

first structural segment of the plexus is the organization of nerves

roots from C5 to T1 into trunks. Roots from C3-C6 for the superior

trunk. C7 makes up the middle trunk, and C8-T1 the inferior trunk.

Each trunk then splits into an anterior and a posterior division.

In general, nerves originating from anterior divisions supply motor,

sensory, and autonomic function to the anterior parts of the arm,

while those from the posterior division supply the posterior arm.

The second structural segment organizes the trunk divisions into

cords. All three posterior divisions form the posterior cord. The

anterior divisions of the superior and middle trunks make up the

lateral cord. And finally, the anterior division of the inferior

trunk forms the medial cord. It is from these cords that the

individual nerves branch off. These terminal branches include the

radial, ulnar, median, musculocutaneous and axillary nerves. "

Rotator Cuff is an entirely separate issue/condition. The Rotator

Cuff is comprised of the tendons of four muscles: Supraspinatus,

Infraspinatus, Teres Minor and Subscapularis. The Supraspinatus

muscle lies along the top of the Scapula in back. The Infraspinatus

covers the body of the scapula in back. The Subscapularis covers

the entire underside of the scapula. The Teres Minor attaches along

the lateral (outside), bottom edge of the scapula. All of them

attach on their other ends to spots on the humerous (arm bone).

These are the muscles that allow you to move your arm up, down,

back, etc. The " cuff " is the area at the point of the shoulder

where they attach to the humerus. A Rotator Cuff injury involves a

sprain, strain or tear of one or more of these tendons.

It is certainly more than possible for someone to be suffering from

both Rotator Cuff problems and TOS at the same time since they are

two different conditions.

As for the Brachial Plexus " something " there is more than one

possibility and I couldn't even begin to guess from here as to which

he might have been referring.

An excellent book covering shoulder pain in general is simply

called " Shoulder Pain " by Rene Cailliet. He is an M.D. and has a

series of nine books on pain (shoulder, knee, hand, low back, face

and neck, general pain, etc.) He is one of the authors I trust.

(And I do have the full set in my reference library.)

At any rate, here is what it says:

" A condition that has been called brachial plexus neuropathy has

also been termed localized neuritis of the shoulder, acute brachial

radiculitis, localized nontraumatic neuropathy, acute shoulder

neuritis, serum neuritis, paralytic brachial neuritis, and neuralgic

amyotrophy. These terms have evolved in contraindication to

mechanical TOS, in that they have been determined to be inflammatory

and/or infectious in their origin.

The initial presenting symptom is shoulder pain with ultimate

weakness of specific muscles of the involved plexus innervation.

Clinically there is a rapid onset of severe pain, usually followed

by weakness and paresis. The latter often occurs within 2 weeks of

the onset of pain. The pain is usually intense and is described as

sharp, stabbing, throbbing, or deep aching. Usually there is also

an associated muscle soreness.

Pain occurs predominately in the upper plexus and is rarely noted

below the elbow.

Currently this is considered to be a neuropathy associated with a

systemic infectious disorder, or it is an allergic hypesensitivity

reaction to a systemic disease process. This syndrome occassionaly

occurs after administration of a foreign serum, such as a vaccine. "

Note the distinction he is making between " mechanical " TOS

and " systemic " TOS/shoulder pain. In either case, one of the

treatment protocols I would highly recommend is Lymphatic Drainage

Therapy. It is very gentle and non-invasive. But it also does

wonders for reducing edema (swelling) as well as inflammation and

felt pain. It is an absolutely super modality. I have even been

known to use it to finish a session if I have been doing

particularly deep/aggressive Swedish techniques. It helps reduce

any after session soreness.

> On my recent workers compensation doctors update/check up visits

for

> my right shoulder (which has RSD and is very unstable and has been

> repaired surgically with complications etc (I can give you more

info

> if needed)(what a waste of time, see a strange doc for about 2

> minutes who has can decide your future etc).

> What I am asking is the DAFT OLD OS I saw said I had a Brachial

> Plexus " somthing or other " I can't remember what the soemthing was

> though. He basically said I had a rotator cuff injury, Thoracic

> Outlet Syndrome and a brachial plexus " something " ...

> I was just wondering if you would have ANY idea of what the

brachial

> plexis thing could be??? my past record state I have a STRONG

> brachial plexus sign, but I am NOT sure what this means (I know it

is

> to do with where the nerves run through from the chest down the

arm

> etc). The FIRST thing out of this doctors mouth was RSD does NOT

> exist, there is NO such thing (which put me is SUCH a great mood

etc)

> I had flown down to do this appointment (well I saw 2 of there

doc's,

> was supposed to see 3 but I missed my flight (and that is a WHOLE

> nother story). I DID NOT tell these guys that I have EDS.

> The psycologist I saw could NOT work out why I had been sent to

see

> him as he said " there is NOTHING wrong with your mind, it is your

> body that is stuffed " . he went on to say that his reports will

have

> to state that I can work from his point of view as my mind is

fine,

> there is no depression or anxiety disorders etc and that I seem to

> have adjusted very well to my changed life and injury.

> Anyway I was wondering if you would have ANY idea of what this

> Brachial Plexus thing would be???

> Thanx in advance

> Sharon