What muscle paralysis can be caused by axillary nerve injury

Injury to the axillary nerve usually leads to paralysis of the deltoid and teres minor muscles. Axillary nerve injury may be caused by factors such as trauma, compression, surgical complications, etc., mainly manifested as difficulties in shoulder joint abduction, abnormal sensation on the outer side of the upper arm, and other symptoms.

1. Deltoid muscle paralysis

The deltoid muscle is the main muscle for shoulder abduction and is innervated by the axillary nerve. When the axillary nerve is damaged, the loss of nerve supply to the deltoid muscle can lead to a decrease in muscle strength or complete paralysis, manifested as limited shoulder abduction function. The patient is unable to complete the lateral lift movement, which seriously affects daily life such as combing hair and dressing. In the early stage, muscle atrophy can be prevented through electrical stimulation, passive activity, and other methods. In the later stage, rehabilitation training should be combined to gradually restore function.

2. Paralysis of the teres minor muscle

The teres minor muscle is located behind the shoulder joint and collaborates with the deltoid muscle to complete external rotation of the shoulder joint. After axillary nerve injury, the dysfunction of the teres minor muscle can lead to a decrease in external rotation force of the shoulder joint, affecting throwing, pushing, and pulling movements. Long term paralysis may lead to a decrease in shoulder joint stability and an increased risk of shoulder dislocation. During the rehabilitation process, it is important to focus on strengthening rotator cuff muscle training and improving muscle compensation through resistance exercises with elastic bands. Patients with axillary nerve injury should avoid lifting heavy objects and excessive abduction of the shoulder joint to prevent secondary muscle damage. Increasing the intake of high-quality protein in diet can help with nerve repair, such as fish, eggs, etc. It is recommended to undergo progressive resistance training under the guidance of a professional physician during the rehabilitation period, combined with low-frequency electrical stimulation to promote nerve regeneration. If conservative treatment is ineffective and muscle atrophy is severe, surgical treatment options such as nerve release or tendon transposition may be considered.