United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Hi all. I am certain this had been asked before, but I can't seem to find it in a search so here goes again.
I have had scapular winging due to a LTN injury for almost 5 years now. The good news is, that I can now raise my arm much higher with some effort even though the "winging" is still present (perhaps other muscles have compensated over time to do the job?).
Despite this improvement, I have always had problems with constant pain in both of my shoulders. Each time I have a shoulder ultrsound I am told I have tendonitis, bursitis, tensynovitis etc. but these are conditions which are usually related to "overuse" and I believe me, with the daily pain I suffer, I do not "overuse" my arms in any way. I am constantly taking NSAIDs and rubbing arthritis creams on my shoulders but the only thing that breaks the pain for a while is to lie flat on my back for an hour or so...when I get up I usually feel much better, for a while, until the beast returns.
Has anyone else with "winging" experienced this chronic shoulder pain problem? I am guessing it must be due to the constant drag of carrying a large, lifeless serratus muscle around all day only because it eases when I lie down.
Do any of you wear a body brace or a "corset" type bra (please no responses from the guys on the corset thing...ick). The reason I ask is that if I put my hands on the sides of my ribs and pull upward, I instantly feel relief in my shoulders...so I thought something like this may work against the downward pull of the muscle...
I can't wear a bra ( and fortunately don't need to ) because any kind of strap drives me crazy with just the slightest pressure, so I'm thinking brace or strapless corset?
Anyone with a similar problem or solution?

Nan,

I have partial winged scapula on both shoulders for about 2 years now, its the most uncomfortable thing, my bones click, clickety click all day and again my favourite position is lying down on my back. I do think the "overuse" symptoms are just a form of osteo as bones need healthy muscle contracting to stay healthy. I swim to try and maintain some joint mobility, and do shoulder pulleys just for range of movement. Its more of a maintenance thing as I am only 38 and amn't planning on a shoulder replacement any time soon.

Thank you Aurelia.
The swimming is a great idea, although with my limited ROM, I fear I might drown...but we are having a new Wellness Center built in the Spring which will include a therapy pool, and I will check into my options there. I definitely have been guarding my shoulders for too long because of the pain and have lost mobility.
Unfortunately, pulleys are not an option as I have TOS symptoms as well which are greatly aggravated by overhead arm activity.
I am happy this regime is working for you! You did scare me with the shoulder replacement bit... I am 46... is this a real possibility? No thanks.
I would still like to hear from any female wingers who have tried wearing a strapless, corset bra...before I invest the $$ on another item that does me no good. I have a closet full of braces, slings etc... well, not quite, but have tried just about everything available over the years...to no avail.

Hi Nan,

I was in touch with you a year or so ago about some developments in bracing. I have been working with an orthotist and have made several braces. Recently we have had a new breakthrough with design. Let me know if you would be interested. I'd like to get the word out if it can help anybody else.

Blaine Dehmlow

Hi Nan,

I was in touch with you a year or so ago about some developments in bracing. I have been working with an orthotist and have made several braces. Recently we have had a new breakthrough with design. Let me know if you would be interested. I'd like to get the word out if it can help anybody else.

Blaine Dehmlow

This may be helpful--In '98 my winging was so bad my shoulder blade would slide around into my armpit and play hell with the T-2 nerve ans intrascapulars etc--It was a real horror show---and not in a good way. So, I found and ortho surgeon who actually did some hours of research and found a treatment commonly used for MS patients who go thru the same thing. What he did was, cut into my back at the scapular area, lift my shoulder blade and "scour" the bone down past the calcium layers, then positioned my scap in the right place to stop the winging AND pull my shoulder socket, collar bones etc back into the "right" position. THEN he drilled holes thru the scap into the 3-4 ribs underneath. Then he took "donated tendon" from a cadaver and "laced" the scap thru the holes and thru the rib holes. He pushed the scap a little further back than its normal position to aleviate my problem w/my shoulder "rolling" forward. Anyway, after 8-10 days of hell, I got to moving around ok--and a month later most freinds and family noticed my posture was almost normal, my shoulder no longer rolled forward under my chin etc. Alot of secondary pain was relieved from no more tension on the T-2 and other involved muscles nerves etc. I could stand up with squared shoulders and felt 125% better phyisically and psycologically. Aftwer a while my body absorbed the Donated tendons but by that time the abraded bone under the scap and on the ribs had fused the scap to the ribs permanently-(?) -indefinatly might be a better word cuz I coyuld need a "re-do" to some extent in 20-25-35 years.
It's called "SCAPULOPLEXY" or "SCAPULEXY"But whatever--it worked GREAT! Just remember the op. is mostly done for Muscular Dystrophy of a couple other things where severe muscle atrophy causes severe winging.
I got mine done buy a great Dr. Named Rhodes--assissted by Dr. Mason at Albany Orthopedic Clinic, Palmyra RD, Albany GA--It was the first time they'd ever done it and the Surgical Assisstant said it was the coolest operation she'd ever seen.
The only down side is it takes a month to heal reasonably well and that is one god-awful painful month. But IT IS WORTH IT!!!-----Ronin