Which nerve is at risk with a shoulder dislocation?

Which nerve is at risk with a shoulder dislocation?

• A. Axillary
• B. Median
• C. Ulnar
• D. Radial

Answer: (A)

Nerve most at risk with a shoulder dislocation is the axillary nerve. Its course is right around the surgical neck of the humerus, passing through the quadrangular space with the posterior circumflex humeral artery. In an anterior shoulder dislocation, the head of the humerus can stretch or compress this nerve as it exits the glenohumeral joint. Injury to the axillary nerve leads to weakness of the deltoid and teres minor, so abduction of the arm beyond about the first 15 degrees is lost, and there is often sensory loss over the skin over the lateral shoulder. The other nerves mentioned (median, ulnar, radial) are not routinely at risk from a shoulder dislocation because their courses are more distal or separate from the joint itself.

Nerve most at risk with a shoulder dislocation is the axillary nerve. Its course is right around the surgical neck of the humerus, passing through the quadrangular space with the posterior circumflex humeral artery. In an anterior shoulder dislocation, the head of the humerus can stretch or compress this nerve as it exits the glenohumeral joint.

Injury to the axillary nerve leads to weakness of the deltoid and teres minor, so abduction of the arm beyond about the first 15 degrees is lost, and there is often sensory loss over the skin over the lateral shoulder. The other nerves mentioned (median, ulnar, radial) are not routinely at risk from a shoulder dislocation because their courses are more distal or separate from the joint itself.