Brachial Plexus Palsy whilst on Crutches Treated with Korean Medicine Focused on Bee-Venom Pharmacopunture

Abstract

This study aimed to show the effects of Korean medicine treatment (particularly bee-venom pharmacopunture) on a patient with brachial plexus palsy. A 64-year-old woman was diagnosed with brachial plexus palsy on the right upper extremity and was treated with Korean and Western medicine from September 30^th to November 6^th, 2019. Improvement of the patient’s symptoms was evaluated using the Manual Muscle Test, Range of Motion and visual analogue scale. After treatment, the patient’s Manual Muscle Test grade and Range of Motion were improved, and the Visual Analogue Scale score indicated the intensity of her right hand numbness had decreased. These results suggested that improper use of crutches can result in brachial plexus palsy and a Korean-Western medicine treatment regimen primarily focused on bee-venom pharmacopunture, may be effective in reducing the symptoms of brachial plexus palsy.