Traumatic injury of the axillary nerve identified after rotator cuff repair

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Julián Guillermo Cock Atehortua
Victoria Eugenia Restrepo Noriega

Abstract

Introduction: The prevalence of shoulder pain varies between 6.7% and 66.7%; whereas rotator cuff disorders–especially rupture–can reach a prevalence of 22.1%. Due to the important advances and studies in the repair of this injury, arthroscopic surgery has allowed a better identification, visualization and classification, as well as a better handling of the patients. In addition, rotator cuff ruptures or greater tuberosity fractures increase the risk of nerve injury (relative risk -1.9), which is more significant in patients >60 years old. We discuss the case of a patient with post-traumatic rotator cuff rupture who required minimally invasive arthroscopic repair. No weight-bearing was allowed during the postoperative period. Patient presented a non-self-limited axillary nerve injury secondary to anterior dislocation and resulting instability after the original trauma.Conclusions: Axillary nerve injuries are more common than expected and, in many cases, early identification is not possible due to its high rate of association with other injuries. Therefore, treating physicians must be very careful in order to achieve a timely diagnosis and management of the patient.

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How to Cite
Cock Atehortua, J. G., & Restrepo Noriega, V. E. (2019). Traumatic injury of the axillary nerve identified after rotator cuff repair. Revista De La Asociación Argentina De Ortopedia Y Traumatología, 84(3), 265-272. https://doi.org/10.15417/issn.1852-7434.2019.84.3.898
Section
Case Presentations
Author Biographies

Julián Guillermo Cock Atehortua, Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana Clínica de Fracturas, Medellín, Colombia

Médico traumatologo especialista en cirugía de Hombro y Mano en Clínica de Fracturas, Medellín, Colombia

Victoria Eugenia Restrepo Noriega, Universidad del Rosario Ortopedia y Traumatología Clínica el Rosario – Sede Centro, Medellín, Colombia

Ortopedia y Traumatología Clínica el Rosario – Sede Centro, Medellín, Colombia

References

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