See Also
1. Peripheral Nerve Injury
Causes
1. Shoulder Dislocation
2. Upward pressure from improper crutch use
3. Repetitive overuse (pitching, swimming)
4. Surgery (arthroscopy, rotator cuff repair)
Symptoms
1. Arm Fatigue on throwing and other overhead activities
2. Posterolateral upper arm Paresthesias may occur
Signs
1. Weak abduction and external rotation at the Shoulder
Diagnostics
1. Nerve Conduction Studies and EMG
  1. Consider repeating at 3-6 months after treatment
2. Shoulder MRI
  1. Typically only helpful for evaluation of differential diagnosis (e.g. labral disorder)
  2. Compression of axillary nerve is unlikely to be visualized on MRI
Management
1. Shoulder Range of Motion Exercises with posterior capsule Stretching
2. Avoid heavy lifting
3. Sport specific biomechanical modification to prevent reinjury
Course
1. Anticipate a 3-6 month course with therapy
References
1. Neal (2010) Am Fam Physician 81(2): 147-55
2. Safran (2004) Am Sports Med 32(4): 1063-76

Family Practice Notebook

Patients should address specific medical concerns with their physicians.

Although access to this page is not restricted, the information found here is intended for use by medical providers.

This page was written by Scott Moses, MD, last revised on 12/23/2011 and last published on 5/14/2013.

This is one of 5887 pages in the Family Practice Notebook