If a patient is unable to lower their arm, what position might they hold their arm in if the axillary nerve is compromised?

When the axillary nerve is compromised, it primarily affects the deltoid and teres minor muscles. The deltoid muscle, when functioning normally, facilitates abduction of the arm, particularly from the position of 15 degrees to 90 degrees. Damage to the axillary nerve results in weakness in this muscle, making it difficult for the patient to abduct their arm.

As a compensatory mechanism, a patient with axillary nerve injury would typically hold their arm in a position where the arm is abducted, often at a slight angle away from the body. This position can relieve tension in the affected shoulder and may mitigate pain or discomfort.

In contrast, if the arm were held adducted, extended, or flexed, it would likely increase strain on the compromised musculature or exacerbate any associated pain from the nerve injury. Keeping the arm abducted allows for a more neutral and potentially comfortable position, given the limitations imposed by the nerve injury.