Have you looked into shoulder nerve injuries? I think, for example, the long thoracic nerve supplies the serratus anterior muscle. When this doesn't function properly, it can cause winging of the scapula.

As mentioned above, I'm not a doctor. There are probably lots of conditions that can cause your symptoms (the more I read, the more possibilities!) Have you seen an orthopedic doctor who specializes in the shoulder?

Good advice there. I'd look in to this one more thoroughly. I have similar sx but my nerve conduction/ emg test were normal. Eleven years later neurosurgeon requested they were redone before putting in a spinal cord neurostimulator. Of course, they found long thoracic nerve palsy and chronic dennervation of anterior serratus muscle! Apparently, it's commonly overlooked as they do not test far enough down the nerve tree. Too late for me to look at any remedial surgery, though may have been from the start as likely mechanism was traction.Good luck, booklover

Oh wow. So there is nothing for you to work towards as far as improving symptoms? I wasn't aware that nerve injuries were so permanent. So let's say, in the event that I do have an injury to the long thoracic nerve, would my only option be surgery? I absolutely HATE surgery. everything about it. Electing to have surgery on my shoulder is what put me into this situation in the first place.

I'm not a good person to ask about surgery of LTN as in Melbourne Australia when I injured the LTN 20yrs ago-there wasn't the expertise here to even get any advice it's so rare. My understanding is surgery would only help for impingement/ obstruction.

My focus has been on functional restoration through clinical pilates, neurophysio /bobath technique, occupational therapy etc. Still pain remains a major issue for me and poor use of arm in raised position. However, I have hardly any winging after all my hard work and it makes a big difference to function at waist level. Don't be disheartened, my anatomy made me susceptible to developing bilateral TOS over time so your situation may have a much more optimistic outlook. booklover

What about your anatomy made you susceptible? Do you have that rib? Im glad to hear that you are improving your situation. Do you feel that its possible in your future to retun to 100% normal function?

Apparently I had an extra cervical disc (a long Neck) and developed fibrous bands on either side to support it which squashed my arteries and nerves. No I have a lot of permanent damage done before the decompression, which is one of the risks of long term compression of sensitive structures. That is, they don't fully recover once you release the pressure. Besides, I had the traction damage as well. The most recovery usually occurs in the first year or so following surgery...I can't really comment further on alternative to surgical options as an active strategy as i only put it off because of risk to right arm as I only had partial use of left...booklover

Hi Booklover, I seem to have injured my LTN in a fall from a bike several years back and have been working on reactivating my right serratus. I can feel a muscle contracting beneath my armpit even if i move my right arm up. Does that mean I can rehab the muscle? Any idea of teh time I'd take and the specific exercises and other muscles to focus on along with it?Also what wre your symptoms. Mine are bilateral TOS, right is (i think) due to serratus issue. Left is due to injured longus colli which is not stabilizing my cervical spine. I have constant pain in my right shoulder/neck area, I think overstressed levator and upper trap and also a supraspinatus injury probably.

Im responding to everyone by pressing reply on each post but it isn't posting? Am I doing this wrong?

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