Case

A 22yo is injured while ice climbing and landing on the point of an ice pick. The pick penetrated the posterior aspect of their shoulder. The injury caused a small amount of bleeding that was managed at the local hospital. It is now 24 hours later and the patient is able to abduct their arm ~10-15 degrees, but is unable to abduct any further. They are able to flex and extend as well as shrug their shoulders.

Question 2/3 - As there was limited bleeding, the most likely cause of the deltoid muscle dysfunction is nerve injury. Which nerve was injured?

Click on your selected option(s) below  (correct = 1, over-thinking = 2+)

Next Question

Correct! The axillary nerve supplies the deltoid muscle.

Incorrect. The musculocutaneous nerve supplies all the muscles of the anterior arm compartment (biceps brachii, coracobrachialis and brachialis).

Incorrect. The median nerve supplies part of the anterior forearm and hand (generally related to the thumb side of the forearm/hand).

Incorrect. The accessory nerve (CN11) is a cranial nerve innervating the sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles.

Incorrect. The ulnar nerve supplies part of the anterior forearm and hand (generally related to the little finger side of the forearm/hand).

Incorrect. This nerve supplies the posterior arm, forearm and hand.