Injury of axillary nerve: Difference between revisions
From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia
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{{Infobox medical condition | |||
| name = Injury of axillary nerve | |||
| image = [[File:Gray810.png|left|thumb|200px|Location of the axillary nerve]] | |||
| caption = The axillary nerve is highlighted in this diagram. | |||
| field = [[Neurology]] | |||
| symptoms = [[Deltoid muscle]] weakness, [[teres minor]] weakness, [[sensory loss]] over the [[regimental badge area]] | |||
| complications = [[Shoulder instability]], [[atrophy]] of the deltoid muscle | |||
| onset = [[Trauma]], [[shoulder dislocation]], [[humeral fracture]] | |||
| duration = Varies, can be [[temporary]] or [[permanent]] | |||
| causes = [[Blunt trauma]], [[compression]], [[traction injury]] | |||
| risks = [[Contact sports]], [[shoulder surgery]], [[repetitive overhead activities]] | |||
| diagnosis = [[Physical examination]], [[nerve conduction study]], [[electromyography]] | |||
| differential = [[Rotator cuff tear]], [[brachial plexus injury]], [[cervical radiculopathy]] | |||
| prevention = [[Protective gear]], [[proper technique]] in sports, [[physical therapy]] | |||
| treatment = [[Physical therapy]], [[surgical repair]], [[nerve grafting]] | |||
| prognosis = Generally good with treatment, but depends on severity | |||
| frequency = Relatively uncommon | |||
}} | |||
{{Short description|Overview of axillary nerve injury}} | {{Short description|Overview of axillary nerve injury}} | ||
The '''axillary nerve''' is a crucial component of the [[brachial plexus]], responsible for innervating the [[deltoid muscle]] and the [[teres minor muscle]], as well as providing sensory input from the [[skin]] overlying the [[deltoid]]. Injury to the axillary nerve can result in significant functional impairment of the shoulder. | The '''axillary nerve''' is a crucial component of the [[brachial plexus]], responsible for innervating the [[deltoid muscle]] and the [[teres minor muscle]], as well as providing sensory input from the [[skin]] overlying the [[deltoid]]. Injury to the axillary nerve can result in significant functional impairment of the shoulder. | ||
==Anatomy== | ==Anatomy== | ||
The axillary nerve originates from the posterior cord of the brachial plexus, carrying fibers from the [[C5]] and [[C6]] [[spinal nerves]]. It travels through the [[quadrangular space]] of the shoulder, accompanied by the [[posterior circumflex humeral artery]]. | The axillary nerve originates from the posterior cord of the brachial plexus, carrying fibers from the [[C5]] and [[C6]] [[spinal nerves]]. It travels through the [[quadrangular space]] of the shoulder, accompanied by the [[posterior circumflex humeral artery]]. | ||
===Branches=== | ===Branches=== | ||
The axillary nerve gives off several branches: | The axillary nerve gives off several branches: | ||
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* The [[posterior branch]] innervates the posterior part of the deltoid and the teres minor muscle. | * The [[posterior branch]] innervates the posterior part of the deltoid and the teres minor muscle. | ||
* The [[superior lateral cutaneous nerve of the arm]] provides sensory innervation to the skin over the deltoid. | * The [[superior lateral cutaneous nerve of the arm]] provides sensory innervation to the skin over the deltoid. | ||
==Causes of Injury== | ==Causes of Injury== | ||
Injury to the axillary nerve can occur due to various reasons, including: | Injury to the axillary nerve can occur due to various reasons, including: | ||
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* [[Compression]] from improper use of [[crutches]] | * [[Compression]] from improper use of [[crutches]] | ||
* Direct trauma to the shoulder region | * Direct trauma to the shoulder region | ||
==Clinical Presentation== | ==Clinical Presentation== | ||
Patients with axillary nerve injury may present with: | Patients with axillary nerve injury may present with: | ||
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* Atrophy of the deltoid muscle | * Atrophy of the deltoid muscle | ||
* Loss of sensation over the lateral aspect of the shoulder | * Loss of sensation over the lateral aspect of the shoulder | ||
==Diagnosis== | ==Diagnosis== | ||
Diagnosis of axillary nerve injury is primarily clinical, supported by: | Diagnosis of axillary nerve injury is primarily clinical, supported by: | ||
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* [[Electromyography]] (EMG) and [[nerve conduction studies]] | * [[Electromyography]] (EMG) and [[nerve conduction studies]] | ||
* [[Magnetic resonance imaging]] (MRI) to assess the extent of injury | * [[Magnetic resonance imaging]] (MRI) to assess the extent of injury | ||
==Management== | ==Management== | ||
Management of axillary nerve injury depends on the severity and cause of the injury: | Management of axillary nerve injury depends on the severity and cause of the injury: | ||
* Conservative treatment includes [[physical therapy]] and [[pain management]]. | * Conservative treatment includes [[physical therapy]] and [[pain management]]. | ||
* Surgical intervention may be necessary in cases of severe or persistent injury, such as [[nerve grafting]] or [[nerve transfer]]. | * Surgical intervention may be necessary in cases of severe or persistent injury, such as [[nerve grafting]] or [[nerve transfer]]. | ||
==Prognosis== | ==Prognosis== | ||
The prognosis for axillary nerve injury varies. Many patients recover with conservative treatment, but some may experience persistent weakness or sensory deficits. | The prognosis for axillary nerve injury varies. Many patients recover with conservative treatment, but some may experience persistent weakness or sensory deficits. | ||
==See also== | |||
== | |||
* [[Brachial plexus injuries]] | * [[Brachial plexus injuries]] | ||
* [[Peripheral nerve injury]] | * [[Peripheral nerve injury]] | ||
* [[Shoulder anatomy]] | * [[Shoulder anatomy]] | ||
[[Category:Peripheral nervous system disorders]] | [[Category:Peripheral nervous system disorders]] | ||
[[Category:Injuries]] | [[Category:Injuries]] | ||
Latest revision as of 01:26, 8 April 2025
Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD's medical weight loss NYC, sleep center NYC
Philadelphia medical weight loss and Philadelphia sleep clinics
| Injury of axillary nerve | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Synonyms | N/A |
| Pronounce | N/A |
| Specialty | N/A |
| Symptoms | Deltoid muscle weakness, teres minor weakness, sensory loss over the regimental badge area |
| Complications | Shoulder instability, atrophy of the deltoid muscle |
| Onset | Trauma, shoulder dislocation, humeral fracture |
| Duration | Varies, can be temporary or permanent |
| Types | N/A |
| Causes | Blunt trauma, compression, traction injury |
| Risks | Contact sports, shoulder surgery, repetitive overhead activities |
| Diagnosis | Physical examination, nerve conduction study, electromyography |
| Differential diagnosis | Rotator cuff tear, brachial plexus injury, cervical radiculopathy |
| Prevention | Protective gear, proper technique in sports, physical therapy |
| Treatment | Physical therapy, surgical repair, nerve grafting |
| Medication | N/A |
| Prognosis | Generally good with treatment, but depends on severity |
| Frequency | Relatively uncommon |
| Deaths | N/A |
Overview of axillary nerve injury
The axillary nerve is a crucial component of the brachial plexus, responsible for innervating the deltoid muscle and the teres minor muscle, as well as providing sensory input from the skin overlying the deltoid. Injury to the axillary nerve can result in significant functional impairment of the shoulder.
Anatomy[edit]
The axillary nerve originates from the posterior cord of the brachial plexus, carrying fibers from the C5 and C6 spinal nerves. It travels through the quadrangular space of the shoulder, accompanied by the posterior circumflex humeral artery.
Branches[edit]
The axillary nerve gives off several branches:
- The anterior branch innervates the anterior part of the deltoid muscle.
- The posterior branch innervates the posterior part of the deltoid and the teres minor muscle.
- The superior lateral cutaneous nerve of the arm provides sensory innervation to the skin over the deltoid.
Causes of Injury[edit]
Injury to the axillary nerve can occur due to various reasons, including:
- Shoulder dislocation
- Fracture of the surgical neck of the humerus
- Compression from improper use of crutches
- Direct trauma to the shoulder region
Clinical Presentation[edit]
Patients with axillary nerve injury may present with:
- Weakness or paralysis of the deltoid muscle, leading to difficulty in abduction of the arm
- Atrophy of the deltoid muscle
- Loss of sensation over the lateral aspect of the shoulder
Diagnosis[edit]
Diagnosis of axillary nerve injury is primarily clinical, supported by:
- Physical examination
- Electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction studies
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to assess the extent of injury
Management[edit]
Management of axillary nerve injury depends on the severity and cause of the injury:
- Conservative treatment includes physical therapy and pain management.
- Surgical intervention may be necessary in cases of severe or persistent injury, such as nerve grafting or nerve transfer.
Prognosis[edit]
The prognosis for axillary nerve injury varies. Many patients recover with conservative treatment, but some may experience persistent weakness or sensory deficits.
