Deltoid Paralysis

Overview

For patients in Richmond, VA seeking specialized care, understanding the mechanics of deltoid paralysis is the first step toward recovery. The deltoid muscle is the powerhouse of the shoulder. It is supplied by the axillary nerve. Injury to this nerve—common in shoulder dislocations or fractures—paralyzes the muscle.

Because modern shoulder replacements (Reverse Arthroplasty) rely entirely on the deltoid to function, a patient with a paralyzed deltoid has historically not had many options. They cannot lift their arm, and they are not candidates for standard replacement.

Symptoms

• Pain: There may be pain around the time of injury and following due to ongoing shoulder dysfunction

• Weakness: Without the deltoid, there is severe weakness lifting or moving the arm

• Loss of Muscle Bulk: When a muscle is paralyzed, it undergoes atrophy where it shrinks in size. This will change the contour of the shoulder.

Non-Operative Management

• Time and symptom management are the mainstays of non-operative treatment. Nerve injuries can occasionally recover depending on their cause and so a team of multiple doctors is often involved to make a decision about this likelihood.

Surgical Solutions

• Nerve Grafting: If caught early, the nerve can sometimes be repaired.

• Pectoralis Major Transfer: For chronic paralysis, especially of the anterior deltoid, this procedure helps to import a new power source to the shoulder.

• Glenohumeral Fusion: For chronic paralysis where muscle transfer is not an option or not the patient’s preference, the shoulder joint can also be fused to remove the need for a functioning deltoid and allow patients to regain control of their arm by moving their scapula.