A

A

A

Font Size

Winged Scapula

Hello:

I guess I need to clarify my question a bit... I was wondering in particular whether or not anyone knows of any resources that might help me over come this problem. The only cure is muscle strengthening and I am looking for hints and strategies. Also, because I can find no print resources or other guidance on this, I am beginning to have doubts that this is one of those mind over matter issues rather than an injury (or that my doctor is making things up). Regardless, I am committed to getting rid of this problem... I just wish that I knew where to begin! I would dance with a chicken if I thought that it would help.

PS - This is not mind over matter...it is a real condition that causes real pain. You are not crazy. My doctor was explaining that it probably causes so much pain because since 1 muscle group isn't working, then all of the other muscle groups are trying to compensate in ways that they aren't supposed to which is straining them and causing everything to be out of balance. He said this is a rare diagnosis and he said people generally have 2-4 failed surgeries before figuring out the real cause with a solution. Don't give up!!! From my experience, this problem does not go away easily at all!

I give up!

Have you been a rehabilitation program? A medically supervised rehabilitation program is the standard treatment for this condition. There you will get specialized exercises and treatment for your scapula alata/winged scapula. If that fails, then there are surgical options for treatment.

If your doctor has not been helpful, seek the opinion of an orthopedic specialist to properly diagnose and treat your condition.

Hello...I have just found your post and decided to see if I could offer any wisdom. For the past 5 years I have been dealing with pain along my right scapula. To make a long story short, I had 2 failed shoulder surgeries just to found out this summer that I have winged scapula. Since all other treatment types have been tried numerous times and nothing has worked, I was told that I need to have another surgery to correct the condition. I had surgery on July 16 in NYC (I live in MI, but we had to go there to find a specialist to perform the procedure). It was called a split pectoralis major tendon transfer. I have an incision in the front where they removed part of the tendon and then an incision on my back along my scapula where they transferred it to.

This condition is caused by nerve damage. Particularly the long thoracic nerve usually...so it has caused my serratus anterior muscle to be paralyzed. This is an important muscle group for movement of the scapula, so if paralyzed, the winging results. I had an EMG done to confirm the nerve damage.

Right now, I am in a sling still...it has only been almost 2 weeks since my surgery, and I need to stay in the sling for 4-6 weeks, and then start physical therapy for 3-6 months. Let me know if you have any questions...I have been to enough doctors regarding all of this that I feel like I do understand it better finally. Good luck! Im sorry you have to deal with this...

Katie

I am considering the same surgery to treat a winged scapula I've had for the past 20 years. If possible, I'd like to know how your recovery is going. I realize it's too early to tell yet, but I would eventually like to know if the surgery worked to your satisfaction?

As of right now...I can't tell a difference. The doctors are saying it could be 1-2 years to really know though...it has been 3 months for me. I guess I'm just impatient to see results. They said it takes so long because the muscles and nerves have to be retrained because they were compensating for the serratus anterior for so long, so they are still trying to compensate. Good luck with your journey...

Winged Scapula is a real condition and their is now reason to have several surgeries for most people. The majority of patients just have a simple muscle imbalance. it can be caused by a long thoracic nerve injury but this is not the most common, although it would be one of the more difficult causes to correct.

To start off did your doc say why you have it. Did you injure your shoulder and then your muscles got weak, do you have bad posture, did you get stabbed in the chest. All of that would make a difference. If you don't have a long thoracic nerve injury I think most people get better with physical therapy and also make sure to focus on better posture. If you slouch it will get worse.

A winged scapula is basically any condition where the muscles that hold your scapula in place are not working for some reason, either the nerve that innervates them is the problem or the muscles themselves. Most commonly this is the serratus anterior muscle. Here is a link with some of the many causes of it http://www.shoulderdoc.co.uk/article.asp?section=492. My answer may be skewed because I have most commonly seen winged scapula in children which is most commonly due to posture rather than the more complete winging seen from some of the other causes.

I actually am doing rehab on my own for my winged scapula.

Hi there my daughter has winged scapula from a work injury and is getting no help at all at the moment. She was told by her specialist not to continue physio therapy as it could make it worse. She is getting a lot of migraines and neck strains from the wing strain. I would be interested to know what rehab you are doing yourself to see if the same thing might help her. She is 37 and very tiny build. I have wondered what alternatives we can suggest to try and alleviate her distress. Would something like acupuncture help?? thanks kiwimags