Background: Scapular winging, muscle weakness, chronic discomfort, and overall impairment of shoulder function are commonly caused by injuries to and/or compression of the upper brachial plexus, long thoracic, and accessory nerves. These injuries can have significant social and financial impacts on patients.
Methods: Twenty-one adults who sustained shoulder injuries (a bilateral injury in two patients and a total of 23 shoulder surgeries) presented with winged scapulas, limited shoulder range of motion, and severe shoulder pain.
Results: Patients underwent unilateral decompression, neurolysis of the upper brachial plexus/long thoracic nerve (LTN), and partial resection of the scalene muscle. The mean shoulder abduction/flexion improved significantly, and 15 of 21 (71%) patients regained full range of motion (180°) postoperatively. In addition, the winged scapula appearance improved significantly in 20 of 21 patients (96%) postoperatively.
Conclusion: All except one of 21 patients with scapular winging, muscle weakness, chronic discomfort, and overall impairment of shoulder function improved following unilateral decompression, neurolysis of the upper brachial plexus/LTN, and partial resection of the scalene muscle.
Keywords: Anatomical posture; Long thoracic nerve injury; Shoulder range of motion; Sports and recreational related physical activities; Winging scapula.
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