HERPES-ZOSTER POLYRADICULOPATHY

Herpes tester infection, resulting from reactivation of the dormant va ricella tester virus in the dorsal root ganglia, usually causes a pain ful dermatomal vesicular rash. Rarely, associated peripheral motor wea kness is present, the mechanism of which is unclear. Three patients ar e reported who had focal limb muscle weakness associated with tester i nfection. Physical and occupational therapy played a key role in motor function recovery of the patients, yet emphasis on the rehabilitation of postherpetic motor weakness is lacking in the literature. Physiatr ists evaluating patients with limb muscle weakness following herpes te ster infection should be alert to this condition. The clinical syndrom e of herpes tester radiculopathy and the rehabilitation of these patie nts are discussed. (C) 1997 by the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine and the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilita tion.