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Disfunción del nervio axilar - Overview

Nombres alternativos

Neuropatía del nervio axilar

Definición:

Es un daño nervioso que lleva a la pérdida del movimiento o de la sensibilidad en el hombro.

Causas:

La disfunción del nervio axilar es una forma de neuropatía periférica que se presenta cuando hay daño al nervio axilar, el cual inerva el músculo deltoides del hombro y la piel a su alrededor. Un problema con sólo un grupo de nervios, como el nervio axilar, se denomina mononeuropatía.

Las causas usuales son:

  • Trauma directo
  • Presión prolongada sobre el nervio
  • Presión sobre el nervio por estructuras corporales cercanas
  • Lesión del hombro

El atrapamiento crea presión sobre el nervio donde éste atraviesa una estructura estrecha.

El daño puede destruir la vaina de mielina que cubre el nervio o parte de la neurona (axón). El daño de cualquier tipo reduce o impide el movimiento de impulsos a través del nervio.

Las afecciones que pueden llevar a la disfunción del nervio axilar comprenden:

  • Trastornos generalizados (sistémicos) que causan inflamación de nervios.
  • Infección profunda.
  • Fractura del hueso del brazo (húmero).
  • Presión ejercida por yesos o férulas.
  • Uso inadecuado de muletas.
  • Dislocación del hombro.

En algunos casos, no se puede encontrar la causa.

  • Reviewed last on: 2/5/2011
  • David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by Joseph V. Campellone, MD, Division of Neurology, Cooper University Hospital, Camden, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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