Medbridge Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) Test 1 Practice 2026 - Free OCS Practice Questions and Study Guide

The axillary nerve is most commonly involved after an anterior shoulder dislocation because it runs right around the surgical neck of the humerus and is vulnerable when the head shifts forward. Injury to this nerve typically causes weakness of the deltoid (limiting shoulder abduction beyond the initial range) and loss of sensation over the lateral shoulder area. The other nerves listed are less likely involved in a dislocation because their paths are farther from the glenohumeral joint: the median nerve travels along the arm and forearm toward the hand, the radial nerve runs posteriorly along the arm, and the ulnar nerve sits medially near the elbow.