Medial Triceps to Anterior Branch of Axillary Nerve Transfer: A Case of Specific Reinnervation

The axillary nerve has several distal branches that provide shoulder function through the innervation of the anterior, middle, and posterior deltoid and teres minor, as well as sensation to the lateral arm. Injury to the axillary nerve has been traditionally viewed as either a complete non-favorable injury where recovery does not occur or a favorable […]

Medial Triceps to Axillary Nerve Transfer

Injury to the axillary nerve results in the loss of shoulder function, specifically deltoid and teres minor deficits. This injury can either be isolated or more commonly associated with an upper brachial plexus injury that includes the C5,6 roots. The medial triceps is an available donor for nerve transfer into the axillary nerve and is […]

Posterior Approach – Spinal Accessory to Suprascapular Nerve Transfer

Reconstructing shoulder function following a nerve injury is a challenge due to its dynamic movement originating from several muscles. The supra/infraspinatus muscles are critical for shoulder function in that they initiate abduction of the arm, external rotation, and stabilization of the shoulder joint. In upper brachial plexus injuries, it is common to find a deficit […]

Pectoral Fascicle of the Middle Trunk to Spinal Accessory Nerve Transfer

The pectoral fascicle of the middle trunk is an available donor nerve to transfer to restore spinal accessory nerve function. This procedure involves identifying the brachial plexus and the accessory nerve through a supraclavicular exposure. The pectoral fascicle is identified on the anterior aspect of the middle trunk deep to the identified upper trunk. Typically, […]

Medial Triceps Branch to Axillary Nerve Transfer

The medial triceps branch to axillary nerve transfer is an available option for reconstructing patients with shoulder deficits that include an axillary nerve injury. Not presented in this tutorial, the accessory to suprascapular nerve transfer is additionally performed to stabilize the humerus during its range-of-motion in these patients. The triceps to axillary nerve transfer specifically […]

Thoracodorsal to Long Thoracic Nerve Transfer

Patients with long thoracic nerve injuries exhibit scapular winging and sever shoulder deficits that include the inability to forward flex the shoulder past 90 degrees of range of motion. Thoracodorsal to long thoracic nerve transfer utilizes a distal posterior branch of the thoracodorsal nerve to reinnervate the distal half of the long thoracic nerve. This […]