Winged Scapula
 

Just wondering if anyone else with TOS also has a winged scapula? Apparently it can be caused by damage to the long thoracic nerve. I've heard of people developing it because of damage caused during TOS surgery, but not of people having it alongside TOS to begin with. The long thoracic nerve runs behind the brachial plexus, so I'm assuming the shoulder blade problem is caused by TOS, but I'm not sure.

Hi pixfield. Here is a link about winged scapula...it's an older one, pay particular attention to a post by towellhorse, and old friend.
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread33247.html

I have what is called Neuralgic Amyothrophy (aka Parsonage Turner Syndrome). It can have many possible causes including trauma from close by surgery, but is now thought to be a autoimmune disease if there is no trauma. There is also a hereditary version. The more common attack point would be the brachial plexus, impacting the shoulders. The most common visible symptom would be winged scapula. Both of mine are winged although the right is worse than left. I also have TOS of my right shoulder due to this. The theory as far as I understand it is that the collapse of the scapula pulls the trapezius which is attached near the first rib. This puts upward pressure on trap pulling and compressing the bundle of nerves and blood vessels against the collar bone.

Hmm, I wonder if that means a rib resection and scalenectomy wouldn't be helpful in relieving TOS when someone has a winged scapula. What type of doc do you see for this?

sry cant type but

i have this

My own case anyway, the TOS is the least of my issues. There are exercises you can do to limit it, and exercises to try to strengthen the remaining muscles that help to stabilize the scapula again. A good physical therapist should be able to help.

I think it can happen to show up along with TOS but a totally different treatment would be needed most times.

here is an old thread about winging scap -
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread33247.html

you can do a forum search to find more posts about it too.

tos i believe is exacerbating my winged scap, my pecs are compltetely inflamed thus pulling shoulder forward, not to speak of tgr pts.. :eek::eek:

every single time i move my shlder it cracks, sometimes ribs too

wow this sounds very similar to me, mine was trauma induced..i believe.

im hypermobile

actually im not sure. my back of my shoulders/neck had zero pain until i started lifting weights 6 mos later. hrmm.

I have winging of my scapula, its been going on for 5yrs now its much worse then when it originally started. My scapula sympthomes started befor my tos sympthomes, i had a frr and scalenectomy, not a good outcome and now we are trying to figure out why my scapula is winging since i do not have injury to the long thoracic nerve or BP. My current dr who is dealing with my scapula noticed that i have sevral muscles that are not working correctly and he doesnt know why so now i am going to go see a neuro musculer dr.