The most common cause of scapular winging is paralysis of the serratus anterior muscle due to the injury of the long thoracic nervelong thoracic nerve The long thoracic nerve is the motor nerve to the serratus anterior muscle, which functions to pull the scapula forward around the thorax, allowing for anteversion of the arm, and to lift the ribs, assisting in respiration. › books › NBK535396

Anatomy, Thorax, Long Thoracic Nerve - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf

. Dorsal scapular neuropathy may result in abnormal motion of the shoulder joint with scapular winging.

What is the most common cause of scapular winging?

The commonest cause of scapular winging is serratus anterior paralysis, a dysfunction attributed to traumatic [2, 4, 8, 9, 11], non-traumatic [6, 8, 11, 28, 41, 51–53], and idiopathic [6, 8, 11, 28–30] lesions of the long thoracic nerve.

Does long thoracic nerve cause winged scapula?

Cases of damage to the long thoracic nerve result in a phenomenon known as winged scapula, which is due to paralysis of the serratus anterior or trapezius muscles.

How does winged scapula happen?

The most common cause is weakness

Weakness in the muscles that stabilize the shoulder blade will cause your scapula to move where it should not move. It will give you the appearance of a winged scapula. Common therapy procedures are targeted towards strengthening the serratus anterior.

What nerve controls the scapula?

The dorsal scapular nerve (C5) supplies the levator scapulae and rhomboid muscles; it aids in elevation and adduction of the scapula toward the spinal column. A nerve lesion leads to lateral displacement of the vertebral border of the scapula and to rhomboid atrophy (difficult to detect).

Scapular Winging Causes and Treatment

27 related questions found

What nerve affects shoulder blade?

The suprascapular nerve along the back of the shoulder can get stretched or compressed enough to cause serious damage. This condition is called suprascapular neuropathy. The result can be shoulder pain and loss of function.

What is suprascapular nerve entrapment?

Suprascapular neuropathy, or suprascapular nerve entrapment, is a condition which is due to irritation and damage to the suprascapular nerve (SSN). This condition can result in pain, weakness, or both depending on the cause.

Is the Suprascapular nerve a peripheral nerve?

The suprascapular nerve is a peripheral nerve of the shoulder and arm. It arises from the upper portion of the brachial plexus, which is a network of nerves that stretches across your check from your neck down to your armpit.

What is axillary nerve?

The axillary nerve or the circumflex nerve is a nerve of the human body, that originates from the brachial plexus (upper trunk, posterior division, posterior cord) at the level of the axilla (armpit) and carries nerve fibers from C5 and C6.

Is brachial neuritis permanent?

In many cases, brachial neuritis will resolve on its own after a few months. The best thing you can do is be patient, and follow the instructions of your healthcare provider to manage the severe pain of brachial neuritis.

What is Parsonage Turner Syndrome?

General Discussion. Summary. Parsonage-Turner syndrome (PTS) is an uncommon neurological disorder characterized by rapid onset of severe pain in the shoulder and arm. This acute phase may last for a few hours to a few weeks and is followed by wasting and weakness of the muscles (amyotrophy) in the affected areas.

Can winged scapula cause nerve damage?

If the winged scapula is the result of nerve damage, it can cause weakness in the muscles of your neck, shoulders, and arms. That weakness can make lifting, pulling, and pushing heavy objects hard. Scapular winging often affects your ability to raise your arm above your shoulder.

Is the thoracic nerve a peripheral nerve?

Long Thoracic Nerve Injuries

Long thoracic nerve injury is another peripheral-nerve shoulder injury seen in football players and can be quite disabling. This nerve innervates the serratus anterior muscle, which is important for scapular stabilization, protraction, and rotation during shoulder abduction.

What happens if the thoracodorsal nerve is damaged?

An intact thoracodorsal nerve may also cause atrophy of the muscle, which can lead to shoulder and arm weakness that hampers numerous common movements, including standing up from a chair.

What does thoracodorsal nerve supply?

The thoracodorsal nerve is a pure motor nerve that innervates the latissimus dorsi muscle. ... The primary blood supply of the latissimus dorsi muscle is the thoracodorsal artery. The dorsal divisions of T6 to T12 provide the sensory innervation of the skin of the latissimus dorsi muscle.

Can scoliosis cause scapular winging?

Skeletal deformities such as scoliosis and cleidocranial dysostosis are other congenital causes of scapular winging. In patients with shoulder pain, carefully evaluate scapulothoracic motion and function.

What is quadrilateral space syndrome?

Quadrilateral space syndrome (QSS) is a rare disorder characterized by axillary nerve and posterior humeral circumflex artery (PHCA) compression within the quadrilateral space. Impingement is most frequently due to trauma, fibrous bands, or hypertrophy of one of the muscular borders.

What nerve Innervates anterior deltoid?

The anterior branch of the axillary nerve winds round the humerus deep to the deltoid muscle, and also innervates the muscle at this point. The posterior branch of the axillary nerve innervates the teres minor and also the deltoid.

What is innervated by the ulnar nerve?

The ulnar nerve innervates the flexor muscles of the forearm including the flexor carpi ulnaris and flexor digitorum profundus. It also innervates the intrinsic muscles of the hand including the palmaris brevis, lumbricals, hypothenar and interossei muscles.

What nerve lies deep suprascapular ligament?

The suprascapular nerve arises from the upper trunk of the brachial plexus. It courses posteriorly to the suprascapular notch of the scapula, accompanied by the suprascapular artery. The nerve passes through the notch deep to the transverse scapular ligament, whereas the artery passes over the ligament.

What type of nerve is the suprascapular nerve?

The suprascapular nerve is a mixed peripheral nerve containing motor and sensory components.

What is supraclavicular nerve?

The supraclavicular nerve is a superficial sensory nerve originating from the C3 and C4 nerve roots of the superficial cervical plexus. This nerve arborizes proximal to the clavicle and provides sensation over the clavicle, anteromedial shoulder, and proximal chest [5, 8].

Where does suprascapular nerve get entrapped?

Suprascapular nerve entrapment most commonly occurs in the confined space of the suprascapular notch or spinoglenoid notch. At the level of the suprascapular notch, the suprascapular nerve contains motor and sensory branches to both the supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles.

How do I get rid of a trapped nerve in my shoulder?

Here are the 15 best ways to relieve pain from a pinched nerve in your shoulder without the need for invasive surgeries:

1. Apply ice and heat packs. ...
2. Elevate your arms. ...
3. Rest the area. ...
4. Get a gentle massage. ...
5. Stretch for increased flexibility. ...
6. Be aware of your posture. ...
7. Improve your workstation. ...
8. Use a splint.

Can you have a pinched nerve in your scapula?

If you are experiencing pain between your shoulder blades, then you may have a pinched nerve in the shoulder blade. We guide you through the common causes and how you can start relieving and treating your pain. A pinched nerve happens when a nearby structure presses on or irritates the nerve.