Which muscle is most commonly affected by suprascapular nerve denervation?

The muscle most commonly affected by suprascapular nerve denervation is the infraspinatus muscle. The suprascapular nerve innervates both the supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles, but the infraspinatus is more commonly impacted in cases of nerve injury or denervation.

The infraspinatus muscle plays a critical role in the external rotation of the shoulder, and when the suprascapular nerve is compromised, this function can be significantly impaired. Denervation can lead to muscle atrophy, weakness, and changes in the shoulder's mechanics, making it essential for clinicians to understand the implications of such nerve damage on shoulder function.

Though the supraspinatus muscle is also innervated by the suprascapular nerve and is involved in shoulder abduction, infraspinatus is more frequently affected due to its specific vulnerability regarding nerve injuries. Deltoid and subscapularis muscles are innervated by different nerves (the axillary nerve and upper and lower subscapular nerves, respectively), meaning they are not directly impacted by issues with the suprascapular nerve, reinforcing that the infraspinatus is indeed the muscle primarily associated with this type of denervation.