Winging of the Scapula

Excerpt

Scapular winging is a potentially debilitating condition that can affect the ability to lift, push, and pull objects and perform activities of daily living. Scapular winging causes limited flexion and abduction of the involved upper extremity and can be painful. See Image. Winging of the Scapula. Patients with this condition may become distressed from the cosmesis of pronounced winging. Most cases are secondary to neurologic lesions involving the serratus anterior and trapezius muscles. Scapular winging may be caused less frequently by neurologic lesions involving the rhomboid muscles. These muscles contribute to maintaining the scapula protracted against the posterior thoracic wall. Neurologic insult to any of these muscles results in winging of the scapula as it lifts off the thoracic wall. Scapular winging can be secondary to a sports-related, traumatic, iatrogenic, or spontaneous injury.