HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Steinmann, S. P. Articles by Moran, E. A. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Steinmann, S. P. Articles by Moran, E. A.

Axillary Nerve Injury: Diagnosis and Treatment

Dr. Steinmann is Assistant Professor, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Dr. Moran is Chief Resident, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, Md.

Reprint requests: Dr. Steinmann, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester MN 55905.

Axillary nerve injury is infrequently diagnosed but is not a rare occurrence. Injury to the nerve may result from a traction force or blunt trauma applied to the shoulder. The most common zone of injury is just proximal to the quadrilateral space. Atraumatic causes of neuropathy include brachial neuritis and quadrilateral space syndrome. The vast majority of patients recover with non-operative treatment. Baseline electromyographic and nerve conduction studies should be obtained within 4 weeks after injury, with a follow-up evaluation at 12 weeks. If no clinical or electromyographic improvement is noted, surgery may be appropriate. The results of operative repair are best if surgery is performed within 3 to 6 months from the injury. Surgical options include neurolysis, nerve grafting, and neurotization. The results of repair of axillary nerve injuries have been good compared with treatment of other peripheral nerve lesions, due to the monofascicular composition of the nerve and the relatively short distance between the zone of injury and the motor end-plate.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				W T Hoskins, H P Pollard, and A J McDonald Quadrilateral space syndrome: a case study and review of the literature Br. J. Sports Med., February 1, 2005; 39(2): e9 - e9. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]