A long thoracic nerve injury can occur when the nerve is damaged, irritated, stretched, or trapped. There are several different types and reasons for prolonged thoracic nerve injury, including injury or trauma to the area and some health conditions, such as poor posture, birth defects, and degenerative processes, especially in the neck. Long thoracic nerve injury is a common reason for pain and numbness in the neck and shoulder, with scapular winging, an abnormal protrusion of the shoulder blade.
Nerve entrapment or compression can be caused by poor posture and body mechanics. This results in radiculopathy, a nerve pain condition. A birth defect where there is an extra rib above the first rib can create postural problems, which in turn put pressure on the long thoracic nerve. Improperly lifting or carrying heavy objects can overly strain or stretch the nerve and cause long-term thoracic nerve injury in the form of inflammation, pain, and swelling.
An injury to the brachial plexus, a series of nerves that extend from the spine through the neck, armpit, and arm, can cause a long thoracic nerve injury. A strong blow to the mid-back can also damage this nerve. Overstretching of the shoulder when the arm is positioned away from the body or overstretching of the neck through lateral flexion, a movement of tilting the chin to the side and toward the chest, can also cause overstretching and irritation of the neck. long chest. nerve. An injury to this nerve in the form of abnormal pressure on the nerves from inflammation of surrounding areas or a small cut of the nerve itself can also occur with surgical procedures for breast cancer, such as a radical mastectomy where the lymph nodes in the arm hole are removed.
Health conditions that can cause prolonged thoracic nerve injury include things like diabetes and some autoimmune diseases, such as lupus, where there can be structural damage to the nerves. Spinal degeneration in the trunk area can cause stenosis or narrowing of the channel in the spine where the disc is located. The disc may start to bulge or leak. This can put pressure on the long thoracic nerve, a condition known as nerve entrapment.
Another health condition that can cause a long thoracic nerve injury is Parsonage-Turner syndrome, known as PTS. This is a situation where there is rapid short-term brachial swelling. This syndrome can cause nerve pain that lasts from a few days to a few years. The causes of PTS are unknown, but may be related to certain viral or bacterial infection processes, such as chickenpox, influenza, and smallpox.