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Egyptian Rheumatology and Rehabilitation
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Proximal neuropathies in patients with poststroke shoulder pain

Egyptian Rheumatology and Rehabilitation volume 46, pages 195–201 (2019)Cite this article

Abstract

Background

Poststroke shoulder pain (PSSP) could be due to proximal neuropathy or upper trunk brachial plexus lesion.

Aim

The aim was to detect any electrophysiological abnormality in the proximal nerves supplying shoulder structures that could contribute to PSSP.

Settings and design

Cross-sectional study at institution: a university hospital, tertiary level of clinical care.

Materials and methods

Nerve conduction studies of the axillary, musculocutaneous, suprascapular, and lateral antebrachial nerves were done on both sides. In addition, electromyography of the deltoid, biceps brachii and infraspinatus on the hemiplegic side was performed on 30 stroke survivors with PSSP.

Statistical analysis used

Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS ver.20). Description and analysis of the obtained data were done using appropriate tests.

Results

Axillary and musculocutaneous motor nerve latencies on the hemiplegic side were significantly prolonged compared with the normal side (P=0.012, 0.029, respectively). Moreover, axillary and suprascapular nerve amplitudes on the hemiplegic side were significantly lower than those on the normal side (P=0.008, 0.002, respectively). Twelve (40%) patients had electrophysiological abnormalities. Upper trunk brachial plexopathy was the most common abnormality which occurred in six (20%) patients. In addition, isolated axillary or suprascapular nerve lesion occurred at a similar frequency (10%).

Conclusion

Proximal nerve lesions are not uncommon in PSSP patients.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physical Medicine, Rheumatology and Rehabilitation; Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Al-Khartoum Square, Alexandria, 21131, Egypt

    Tarek S. Shafshak, Mowaffak M. Abdelhamid & Marwa A. Amer MD

Authors
  1. Tarek S. Shafshak
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  2. Mowaffak M. Abdelhamid
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  3. Marwa A. Amer MD
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Marwa A. Amer MD.

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Shafshak, T.S., Abdelhamid, M.M. & Amer, M.A. Proximal neuropathies in patients with poststroke shoulder pain. Egypt Rheumatol Rehabil 46, 195–201 (2019). https://doi.org/10.4103/err.err_58_18

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.4103/err.err_58_18

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