United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Has anyone had this surgery in the past? I have had winging scapula right side for the past 20 months. I had a nerve decompression which has enabled me to raise the right arm higher than I could previously (can raise to approx 140 degrees of flexion and abduction/out to side) I can not lift anything and can not hold the arm up there very long.

I am still getting moderate winging when I start to raise the arm, when I reach across my body, when I lift anything heavy, or when I push against ANYTHING. (Eg: pushing a shopping cart with a few items in it) The scapula feels "out of joint alot and is uncomfortable throughout much of my daily routine. I have been unable to return to my career (physical job) I had a repeat EMG 2 months ago which showed that approx 1/4 of the muscle is working. The neuro MD graded the muscle strength as 1+-2/5....with 5 being normal. On first EMG, there was NO muscle activity at all.

I have been told that most likely the regeneration has reached its max and what I have now is what I will have the rest of my life. One of the neuro MD's I talked with mentioned that a surgery called a Pectoralis tendon transfer has been pretty successful in stabilizing the scapula.

I am just wondering if anyone has had this surgery before....and whether it was successful for you. In talks initially with a surgeon that does this procedure, he stated he had had only 2 failures over the past 15 years or so but that in the early going one must be in a brace for 4 weeks with passive range from a PT and during that time the potential for rupture or failure is high. If it does fail, it can not be done again.....so it is a one shot deal so to speak. I am just initially looking into possibly doing this as I am still relatively young and have always been active....and now my activity level is not great. Thanks in advance for any feedback you can provide.,.....!!!

I saw there was 0 response so far
Is it the Look or the function of the wing??
My scapula was broken at birth and elbow with erbs to injury, no treatment ever at 61 So I have my own Look if it function to hold the wing in It Mite be Dans sling to help support with the winging and Resting the arm and shoulder gravity on the arm and shoulder are brutal daily Just Thinking There is much to be said for pain lifting a shoulder for rest, maybe for sleeping to?? Resting your arm is great, After beating your limitation up in the Day by trys and adapting by . ,
I hope this helps ??
Tom

Hi Tom....thanks so much....Everything helps in trying to figure out my next step with this situation. In regards to your questions......I can deal with the "cosmetic appearance" of the winging without a problem.....it is more of a FUNCTIONAL ISSUE with me at this point. When I try to first raise my arm it feels like the scapula is coming off my body so to speak......it is very uncomfortable. Same thing with pushing against a heavy or immovable object. Feels like the scapula is almost dis-jointed. Like if your knuckle gets stuff and you feel like you need to pop it. A brace probably won't help in this situation. I am strongly leaning towards getting this surgery if the outcomes are generally favorable....which they seem to be. I just don't want to go through all the rehab and healing (etc) and still have the potential for the Pec Tendon to rupture. From what I have read ruptures generally occur after falling on an outstretched arm or lifting weights/being aggressive too early in the rehab process. Thanks again for your reply Tom....I really appreciate it. Are you a master diver despite having this injury or situation arise at birth.......?

Hey stcjones,
These injuries really are unique per injury by person I love the Medical words Posted Hey what ever they mean I am glad that these word things help , WHEN FOUND??

Heres my weird thing When the doctor broke my elbow at birth it was left so it does pop out of the socket Its smarts pushing it back in . Oh when I do put back in socket it comes with looks from others Has it own sound Your shoulder wings out my scapula is indented from the birth injury, Forceps brake OUCH!! still today I still end up driving a semi for years in spite of these CRAZYS Oh others post like me to Sharing by experience not just hope
In General
Good news , When you do find the right medical Thing??? You will be in transition again and have wried things your left with in life some limitation ???? , Oh well it all works out by post here One thing has always help me cents little was thinking more about a thing to try than being of my limitation that its a mental thing I guess to choose to be positive in the face of despair,I think

I was winging my Response

The dive thing I started in 1981. You start by going to a dive shop and they let you try scuba diving in a swimming pool you really dont swim underwater there for arm and hands are used very little. You also dive with a dive buddy to help each other in a dive These injuries will not stop you from learning to dive There is a web sight to prove this just put in a search for Dive Heart?? Yes you can become nemo if you love the water?? You can become a Padi master diver just put in PADI master diver program as a search
Weightless is awesome at depth for Pain!!!! Big time One of the big things why I do it let along the ocean life!!. Heck , I still dive with 2 mess up arm now Its mine set we all share to try?? I guess
Scuba diving is a 10+ with limitations and you have a dive buddy mine is my wife
Just thinking
Tom