Mnemonic

Axillary Nerve Lesion - Regimental Badge

A memory aid for the signs of an axillary nerve lesion.

Expansion

Deltoid weakness and regimental badge sensory loss

Expansion

  • Motor - weakness of deltoid (arm abduction from 15 to 90 degrees) and teres minor
  • Sensory - loss over the “regimental badge” area on the upper lateral arm
  • Cause - surgical neck of humerus fracture or anterior shoulder dislocation
  • Always check the regimental badge sensation after a shoulder dislocation