Neuralgic amyotrophy

Shoulder nerve inflammation, usually called neuralgic amyotrophy, often starts with sudden, very severe shoulder or arm pain, followed days to weeks later by weakness and muscle wasting. Early assessment is needed to rule out other emergency causes and safely support pain control, breathing and recovery.

• Sudden, sharp, burning or unbearable pain in the shoulder, upper arm, neck, chest wall or hand, often worse at night.
• Muscle weakness starting hours, days or weeks after the pain and not explained solely by avoiding movement because of pain.
• Do not rest the arm completely, but do not exercise a clearly paralysed muscle through tiredness or pain without an expert plan.
• Support the arm and shoulder comfortably and change position to reduce pulling on painful nerves and stiffness.
• Contact a clinician the same day for sudden, very severe shoulder or arm pain without an obvious harmless cause.
• For urgent GP care outside normal opening hours, call HAP 9252. Call Ambulance 912 only for an immediately life-threatening situation.