Hello,
I am currently treating a patient experiencing winging scapula and secondary painful and limited range of motion in left arm. Etiology is trauma:
patient drove over an IED and was smashed on her left side against her vehicle; incident occurred 2 years ago. Patient initially experienced loss of motor control in arm, along with back and shoulder pain, but those symptoms have since dissipated. Pt experiences problems with arm/shoulder pain at work, due to reduced range of motion in flexion and abduction (approx 10 and 15 degrees, respectively) and repetitive motion of moving/carrying objects averaging between 5-8 pounds every day. Previous orthotic management has been a non-custom elastic type shoulder orthosis, usually used to correct posture modified to put pressure on scapula when patient moves through range of motion, but patient is unable to wear orthosis due to discomfort with axilla loops of orthosis. Patient is likely in need of custom orthosis for treatment of scapular winging. I am looking for any advice on possible design for such an orthosis, as well as any success or failure stories concerning orthotic management of scapular winging.
Justin Fernandez
Orthotic Resident
