Mononeuritis Multiplex Clinical Presentation

  • Author: Divakara Kedlaya, MBBS; Chief Editor: Robert H Meier III, MD   more...
 
Updated: Jan 20, 2012
 

History

A detailed and complete medical history is vitally important in determining the possible underlying cause of mononeuritis multiplex. Pain often begins in the low back or hip and spreads to the thigh and knee on one side. The pain usually is characterized as deep and aching, with superimposed lancinating jabs that are most severe at night. Individuals with diabetes typically present with acute onset of severe, unilateral thigh pain that is followed rapidly by weakness and atrophy of the anterior thigh muscles and loss of the knee reflex. Other possible symptoms that may be reported by the patient include the following:

  • Numbness
  • Tingling
  • Abnormal sensation
  • Burning pain - Dysesthesia
  • Difficulty moving a body part - Paralysis
  • Lack of controlled movement of a body part
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Physical Examination

Loss of sensation and movement may be associated with dysfunction of specific nerves. Examination reveals preservation of reflexes and good strength except in regions that have been more profoundly affected. Some common findings of mononeuritis multiplex are as follows (not listed in order of frequency):

  • Sciatic nerve dysfunction
  • Femoral nerve dysfunction
  • Common peroneal nerve dysfunction
  • Axillary nerve dysfunction
  • Radial nerve dysfunction
  • Median nerve dysfunction
  • Ulnar nerve dysfunction
  • Peroneal nerve palsy
  • Autonomic dysfunction - Dysfunction in the part of the nervous system that controls involuntary bodily functions, such as the glands, blood vessels, and heart
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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Divakara Kedlaya, MBBS  Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Loma Linda University School of Medicine; Medical Director, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Pain Management, St Mary Corwin Medical Center

Divakara Kedlaya, MBBS is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine, American Paraplegia Society, and Colorado Medical Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Paul V Brooks, MD  Medical Director, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Lexington Clinic, PSC; Assistant Professor, Department of Orthopedics, Division of Sports Medicine, Assistant Professor, Department of Surgery, University of Kentucky College of Medicine

Paul V Brooks, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pain Medicine, American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine, American Association of University Professors, American College of Sports Medicine, American Medical Association, American Pain Society, American Spinal Injury Association, Association for Academic Psychiatry, and Brain Injury Association of America

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Robert H Meier III, MD  Director, Amputee Services of America; Active Medical Staff, Presbyterian/St Luke's Hospital, Spalding Rehabilitation Hospital, Select Specialty Hospital; Consulting Staff, Kindred Hospital

Robert H Meier III, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Association of Academic Physiatrists

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

References

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