Neuritis refers to an inflammation of a nerve with pain and tenderness, anesthesia and paresthesia, paralysis, wasting, and disappearance of the reflexes. The middle radicular group refers to the 7th cervical root, which consists of motor and sensory pathways. This middle group represents one of three trunks forming the brachial plexus.

In some cases, the cause of neuritis may be unknown. Causative factors may include: trauma; penetrating missile injury; shoulder injury; overextension of a joint; tumors; hemorrhage into a nerve; lesions; continuous pressure on a nerve such as carrying heavy objects supported at the shoulder; degenerative bone changes; nerve entrapment; or fractures. Additional contributing factors include: exposure to cold or radiation; viruses; inflammatory processes; systemic malignancy; leprosy; metabolic diseases such as diabetes mellitus or alcoholism; collagen blood disorders; toxic agents; certain medications; nutritional deficiencies; and genetics.

Signs and symptoms may vary depending on the form of neuritis and the location of the lesion along the nerve. Manifestations may include: supraclavicular pain; neuralgia; hyperesthesia; paresthesia; dysesthesia; hypoesthesia; anesthesia over the shoulder; inability to raise the arm at the shoulder; decreased reflexes; demyelination; muscle atrophy; and moderate to severe muscle weakness.

Diagnostic measures may include: a complete history; physical and neurological examinations; motor, sensory and reflex tests; blood studies; spinal tap; evoked responses; electromyography (EMG); x-ray; computed tomography (CT) scan; and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Treatments may include management of the underlying disorder. Measures needed include: wrist splints; passive range of motion (ROM) exercises; anti-inflammatory or pain medications; antibiotics; vitamin therapy, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS); or, in some cases, surgery may be needed.

Regeneration of the nerve may depend on the degree and site of injury. The closer the injury is to the central nervous system (CNS), regeneration of a severely damaged nerve is less likely to occur. In compression injury, complete recovery may take weeks depending on the length and severity of compression. Recovery from weakness may take several months. There may be a need for long-term pain management. Alteration of employment and daily activities may require counseling intervention.