title: Arthroscopic trans-capsular axillary nerve decompression: indication and surgical technique.
abstract: Symptomatic axillary nerve compression is rare yet results in debilitating pain, weakness, and decreased athletic performance in some patients. If nonoperative modalities fail, surgical intervention is necessary to reduce symptoms and avoid functional decline. Traditionally, open techniques have been described to decompress the axillary nerve and are reported to provide satisfactory results. Similar to suprascapular nerve decompression, recent advances have provided the opportunity to develop all-arthroscopic axillary nerve decompression techniques. Although direct comparisons between open and arthroscopic techniques do not exist, arthroscopic axillary nerve decompression may provide some benefits over open techniques. Therefore we present a technique and early results for all-arthroscopic trans-capsular axillary nerve decompression.
authors.affiliation: The Steadman Philippon Research Institute, Vail, Colorado 81657, USA. drmillett@steadmanclinic.net
authors.forename: Peter J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Millett
authors.forename: Trevor R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Gaskill
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000379:methods*; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000601:surgery; D001365:Axilla; D001917:Brachial Plexus / Q000601:surgery*; D020516:Brachial Plexus Neuropathies / Q000601:surgery*; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D017746:Joint Capsule / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D009408:Nerve Compression Syndromes / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D020069:Shoulder Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery