mobic and Brachial-Plexus-Neuritis

The cause of neuralgic amyotrophy is often unknown but is commonly associated with a recent upper respiratory viral tract infection. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a tireless effort to understand the sequelae of the virus. A 46-yr-old woman who presented after a COVID-19 hospitalization complicated by hypoxic respiratory failure requiring intubation and mechanical ventilation for 23 days was subsequently found to have lower limb sensorium changes as well as upper limb weakness. Left shoulder abduction and extension were both 3/5 in motor strength, and left hip flexion strength was 4/5 with diminished sensation to crude touch in the left lateral thigh. Nerve conduction studies and electromyography findings included a mild left median neuropathy at the wrist and motor unit recruitment pattern consistent with a chronic left upper trunk plexopathy with reinnervation. The case presented describes an extended neuralgic amyotrophy syndrome from an atraumatic mechanism in a previously diagnosed COVID-19 patient. An extended neuralgic amyotrophy syndrome has at least three immune mediated etiologies postulated (1) direct neuropathogenicity, (2) molecular mimicry, and (3) direct cytotoxic effects on peripheral nerves. As COVID-19 survivors continue to be seen in outpatient settings, practitioners should remain aware of diffuse neurological complications as sequelae of the virus persist.

Topics: Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Brachial Plexus Neuritis; COVID-19; Female; Humans; Intensive Care Units; Meloxicam; Middle Aged; Pandemics; Physical Therapy Modalities; Rehabilitation Centers; SARS-CoV-2

Cervicobrachial pain (CBP) is often resistant to conventional oral analgesics. We hypothesized that the periradicular injection of meloxicam would produce a significant reduction in their intractable CBP. The secondary objective was to assess the impact of the treatment on functional recovery.. 48 patients with persistent CBP (>3 months of duration) despite multimodal analgesic therapy received 1-3 periradicular injections of meloxicam, 5-20 mg, at the dermatomal level(s) corresponding to their pain symptoms. Pain level (0=none to 10=severe), rescue analgesics, and functional activity were recorded at baseline and for 90d after the last injection. The injection was repeated if the pain score remained >3 or paresthesia persisted.. The mean pain score was reduced from a baseline of 8.9 (±1) to 1.7 (±2.2) at 90 days after the last meloxicam injection. Following meloxicam treatment(s), only 13% of the patients required oral analgesic rescue medication. All patients increased their functional activity level.. Cervical periradicular injection of meloxicam reduced CBP by 81% at 90-day follow-up and also improved functional recovery.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Analgesics; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Brachial Plexus Neuritis; Chronic Pain; Female; Humans; Male; Meloxicam; Middle Aged; Pain, Postoperative; Recovery of Function; Thiazines; Thiazoles