I just want to add to what the others said about how winging can improve. When Joshua's scapula first started to wing (I think about 4 months old), it was VERY dramatic and really freaked me out - I could nearly insert my entire fist under the "tent" that it made in the skin.
But, over the last four months, it has gradually and steadily improved. It still is not exactly like the other side, and probably never will be, but most of the time you can't see it sticking out at all, and his whole shoulder blade is much more stable now that the muscles are starting to kick in.
Kate
Shoulder dislocation
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Tanner's Mom
- Posts: 288
- Joined: Sun Oct 03, 2004 12:29 pm
Re: Shoulder dislocation
Kate,
Can so relate to inserting the fingers under the "tent". I remember clearly when my son's therapist first showed me. You could place a few fingers and stick them way under the scapula because there was basically nothing at all there, no muscle to stop your fingers from just going completely under. It used to freak me out and make me so sad. About 3 months or so after surgery we saw the first strand of muscle appear and MUCH more has followed in the year after his surgery. I can no longer stick my fingers all the way under. There is actually a lot of muscle there to stop me. It even brought tears to his therapist's eyes when the muscle started to appear slowly but surely.
The interesting part is I would have attributed it to TES if we would have used it post-surgery but because of my son's resistance we did not. I think resolving the dislocation and getting the humeral head in the correct place or close to it, allowed the muscles to start working for the first time.
My son's has always had winging and was partially dislocating. I have never really understood the whole theory that winging is good and means you aren't dislocated. I have heard varying opinions from bpi specialists and have heard contradictions from families as well. Who knows???? I can't figure it out and perhaps it varies per child. I just wish there was a book with all the answers in it! Maybe someday....
Lisa
Can so relate to inserting the fingers under the "tent". I remember clearly when my son's therapist first showed me. You could place a few fingers and stick them way under the scapula because there was basically nothing at all there, no muscle to stop your fingers from just going completely under. It used to freak me out and make me so sad. About 3 months or so after surgery we saw the first strand of muscle appear and MUCH more has followed in the year after his surgery. I can no longer stick my fingers all the way under. There is actually a lot of muscle there to stop me. It even brought tears to his therapist's eyes when the muscle started to appear slowly but surely.
The interesting part is I would have attributed it to TES if we would have used it post-surgery but because of my son's resistance we did not. I think resolving the dislocation and getting the humeral head in the correct place or close to it, allowed the muscles to start working for the first time.
My son's has always had winging and was partially dislocating. I have never really understood the whole theory that winging is good and means you aren't dislocated. I have heard varying opinions from bpi specialists and have heard contradictions from families as well. Who knows???? I can't figure it out and perhaps it varies per child. I just wish there was a book with all the answers in it! Maybe someday....
Lisa
Re: Shoulder dislocation
At Midwest Symposium, I asked Dr. Nath why scapular winging is a "good thing". He said, it is only good in a sense that it shows the scapular is in the socket; therefore not dislocated.
Also, scapular winging is the problem that Michael has. It causes his shoulder to drop down. He is five and half now and I do not really see much change or improvement. I wonder what can be done. I just saw Dr. Waters and asked him about using TES and brace to address the issue. He did not recommend either one. He just recommended continuous physical therapy, swimming and other normal physical activities.
Also, scapular winging is the problem that Michael has. It causes his shoulder to drop down. He is five and half now and I do not really see much change or improvement. I wonder what can be done. I just saw Dr. Waters and asked him about using TES and brace to address the issue. He did not recommend either one. He just recommended continuous physical therapy, swimming and other normal physical activities.