Scapula Winging/Weakness

Definition:
Lack of strength or potency of the scapula; inability to perform normally.
Symptoms:
  • Fatigue
  • Weakness in shoulder and shoulder girdle
  • Affects ability to lift, pull, and push weighty objects
Causes:
  • Serratus anterior paralysis
  • Damage to long thoracic nerve
  • Blunt trauma- blow to the neck or shoulder, sudden depression of the shoulder girdle, unusual twisting of the neck and shoulder
  • Repetitive movements
  • Household activities- gardening, digging, car washing, prolonged abduction of the arms when sleeping, propping up the head to read
  • Inflammation of subcorocoid or subscapular bursa press on the nerve
  • Viral illness
  • C7 radiculopathy
Treatment:
  • Shoulder stabilization exercises
  • Upper extremity strengthening
  • ROM and stretching
  • Posture program