What happens when axillary nerve is damaged?

Axillary nerve dysfunction is nerve damage that can lead to a loss of movement or sensation in the shoulder. Conditions associated with axillary nerve dysfunction include fracture of the humerus (upper arm bone), pressure from casts or splints, and improper use of crutches.

How do you treat axillary nerve damage?

Surgical Options The standard modalities of neurolysis, neurorrhaphy, nerve grafting, and neurotization have all been used in the treatment of axillary nerve injuries. The choice of treatment is ultimately determined at surgery after exploration of the nerve.

What is the clinical significance of the damage on the axillary nerve?

Clinical significance Injury to the nerve results in: Paralysis of the teres minor muscle and deltoid muscle, resulting in loss of abduction of arm (from 15-90 degrees), weak flexion, extension, and rotation of shoulder. Paralysis of deltoid and teres minor muscles results in flat shoulder deformity.

Which deformity causes lesion of the axillary nerve?

Axillary nerve palsy is a neurological condition in which the axillary (also called circumflex) nerve has been damaged by shoulder dislocation.

How long does it take for axillary nerve to heal?

Most axillary nerve injuries associated with shoulder dislocation will improve and demonstrate a good functional recovery. Neurapraxia should demonstrate full recovery by three months and low-grade axonal injuries can expect to be reinnervating by three months with established recovery by six to seven months.

How do you diagnose axillary nerve damage?

Clinically suspected axillary nerve injuries should be confirmed by electrophysiological testing, including nerve conduction studies and needle electromyography. The nerve conduction study is performed with recording of the compound muscle action potential (CMAP) from the deltoid muscle using surface electrodes.

How long does axillary nerve take to heal?

What are the symptoms of nerve damage in the shoulder?

feel numbness or tingling in the shoulder region. have weakness in the shoulders. have problems with normal physical activities, such as lifting your arms above your head. have difficulty lifting objects.

Can the axillary nerve repair itself?

Treatment. The majority of axillary nerve injuries are mild. These are usually due to closed trauma, and this may result in temporary neuropraxia or axonotmesis of the nerve. These can resolve spontaneously with complete and rapid recovery of deltoid function.

How long does it take to recover from nerve damage?

If your nerve is bruised or traumatized but is not cut, it should recover over 6-12 weeks. A nerve that is cut will grow at 1mm per day, after about a 4 week period of ‘rest’ following your injury. Some people notice continued improvement over many months.

How long does nerve damage in shoulder take to heal?

Very often, physiotherapy is the most effective treatment. Some mild nerve injuries can be better in 6-8 weeks, whilst other more severe injuries can take up to 2 years. If there is found to be a structural cause for the nerve damage, then surgery may be appropriate.

What is axillary nerve dysfunction?

Axillary nerve dysfunction is a form of peripheral neuropathy. It occurs when there is damage to the axillary nerve. This is the nerve that helps control the deltoid muscles of the shoulder and the skin around it. A problem with just one nerve, such as the axillary nerve, is called mononeuropathy.

What causes an axillary nerve injury in the shoulder?

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.

What causes pain in the axilla under the arm?

Other injuries in this region, including shoulder dislocations, may cause pain in the axilla. 2  The skin in the armpit can become irritated, leading to pain. Clothing that is tight under the arms and rough fabrics can be irritating. Irritation is also common with shaving.

Is there a standard treatment for axillary nerve injury?

A standardized treatment is not yet known for patients with axillary nerve injury, secondary to a shoulder dislocation. However, immobilization based on age, treatments focused on ROM, strength, neuromuscular re-education, and function all seem to be a recurring theme.