Article Text
Summary
Parsonage-Turner syndrome (PTS) is a rare neuropathy that commonly presents as unexpected severe shoulder and arm pain that eventually subsides while weakness or paralysis ensues. During exceptions to this classic presentation, confirming PTS can be challenging. Alternative causes of upper extremity pain may confound the diagnostic algorithm. Moreover, objective findings from necessary diagnostic tests depend on when those tests are performed. We present an atypical onset of PTS, whereby the initial presentation of severe neuropathic pain was preceded by mild shoulder pain that should decrease one’s clinical suspicion for PTS. This milder pain coincided with the presence of a rotator cuff injury, whereby surgical intervention preceded impending paralysis and hindered postoperative rehabilitation. Physicians should be aware of the possibility of atypical presentations of PTS in hopes of avoiding either untimely surgery or delays in diagnosis.
- orthopaedics
- peripheral nerve disease
- orthopaedic and trauma surgery
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Footnotes
Contributors JST and JMS were responsible for manuscript conception and editing. DAG was responsible for data collection and patient follow-up interviews and obtaining consent. DAG and HA were responsible for manuscript design and drafting. All authors are responsible for approval of the final version. Contributions in percentages were as follows: DAG: 40%; HA: 20%; JST: 20%; JMS: 20%.
Competing interests None declared.
Patient consent Obtained.
Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.