Musculocutaneous neuropathy after strenuous physical activity.

Three cases of isolated musculocutaneous neuropathy that were related to heavy physical activity are reported. The condition was predominantly motor, and each patient presented with weakness and loss of the normal contour of the biceps muscle. Recovery was complete in two cases, while the third case was left with residual weakness of the biceps muscle. It is postulated that the neuropathy in such cases is due to entrapment or stretching of the nerve where it passes through the coracobrachialis muscle in the upper arm. The condition should be distinguished from rupture of the biceps muscle belly or tendon, from brachial plexopathy and from cervical radiculopathies.