Scapular winging on Exercise Cambrian Patrol: three soldiers in three days - an occupational risk?

Abstract

Exercise CAMBRIAN PATROL is an internationally recognised, arduous patrolling exercise held annually in Mid-South Wales. The 2017 iteration of the exercise generated three uncommon shoulder injuries in three consecutive days, all of which were thought to have a similar aetiology. This article presents a case series of three instances of scapular winging in soldiers carrying heavy weight. We review the relevant anatomy and pathophysiology of long thoracic nerve injury and discuss management strategies of scapular winging. Occupational health considerations are reviewed, with respect to carrying large amounts of weight over distance and difficult terrain within the armed forces, along with discussion of a novel weight distribution system (VIRTUS) which has recently been brought into service by the British Army.

Keywords: Military Medicine; Occupational Health; Paralysis; Scapula; physical therapy modalities.