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Axillary nerve lesion

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

The axillary nerve supplies the deltoid and teres minor muscles. It is most commonly damaged as a result of dislocation of the shoulder or of its treatment. It may also be involved in a brachial neuritis.

Clinical features include:

  • loss of sensation over a small area of skin on the lateral aspect of the upper arm - the so called sergeant's stripes because of their position.
  • loss of function of the deltoid muscle, characterised by an inability to initiate abduction of the arm from a position of zero abduction - this is a chronic sign. Wasting is also seen after time - with flattening of the curved shape of the shoulder.

Treatment is by splinting in a position of abduction at the shoulder.


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