United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Tracy, I believe that James has had this surgery with some success.
If you go back through the postings here you can find his contact information.
I know there have been others, but can't fine them offhand. If you take some time to go way back through the posts under the "winged scapula" threads, you may find them.
Best of Luck.

Nan,

I also ended up with an extreme winging of my right scapula following a totally unrelated surgery. I had a hysterectomy in May 2005 which has healed for the most part, but has left me with severe scapular winging of my right shoulder. Following the surgery, I began to have severe pain in my right shoulder the second day when the medication for the hysterectomy was reduced. The severe pain lasted two or three days after I arrived home. I had to sleep on the floor with a heating pad on my shoulders in order to sleep. The pain from the shoulder hurt far worse that the 6 inch incision I had from the hysterectomy surgery. I had never had a problem with my shoulder ever before. I have always been in good shape and there was nothing wrong before I went in for surgery. I have been through 3 MRIs, X-rays and EMG testing which have shed very little light on the cause and none on when I can expect to be fully recovered. I have received no definite explanation as to the cause or extent of the damage. I was able, however, to discuss this with a friend of mine who is an ER phycisian and a Medical Professor and he advised me that there are many ways for this to be a result of the surgery and having been under general anesthesia. In surgery it is common for an attendant to roll you on your side if you are showing signs of nausea which would apply pressure on the nerve and cause damage. He also said it is quite possible that an attendant could have been standing there during the surgery and leaning against nerve applying pressure for an extended time and causing damage as well. He explained this nerve is an exterior nerve and runs which runs down from the shoulder area down your side and is suseptible to damage from prolonged pressure, even if the pressure isn't extreme its still pressure and because you are under anethesia, you don't feel the pain or pressure. Anyway, I have no doubt that this was a result of something which occurred during the surgery and I want the hospital to be aware of and make sure that they take the proper precautions with all patients to avoid this in the future. Although I am sorry that you experienced this same problem, I was glad to know that I am not crazy either. I would love to hear from as many people as are out there who have experienced this injury following a surgery, so that awareness can be heightened to prevent further injury.

hi, i too suffer from a winging scapula which prevents me from moving my shoulder fully. serratus anterior is fine, but it is trapezius that has severe hypertrophy, having very little contractile properties, and rhomboid minor having problems as well. does anyone know of any people that specialise in this in the dorset (bournemouth) area

many thanks

phil

hi denise,
not sure where you live but i've done alot of research on the bpi as i have it now and a winged scapula (scapula was broken in multiple places)and have severe atrophy do to a auto accident last oct.
i am going to a dr. julia terzis in norfolk va.
http://www.jkterzis.com/ she seems to have a great knowlege of this injury
hope this will help you,,

Hi, For those in the UK with winging scapula problem's
I have the name's of 2 Dr's who to me are the mutt's nutt's in this field, Mr Ian Bailey of Stanmore Hospital and Mr Stephen Copeland of the Royal Berkshire. Both are brilliant ! All the Best

True Blue

Hi everyone! I'm new to this board. I developed my WS in Nov. 2004. I checked out Dr. Nath and am in the process of going down and having surgery. Reading all of the messages on this forum has confused the he** out of me! The only reason I want to do this is to take away the pain. I've read that it takes away the winging but not the pain on some of your comments. I really need help and advice now. It's been 10 months. Should I wait longer??? Then they say surgery is more successful the quicker you have it done. I don't know what to do. This happened to me because of a doctor screw up during a disectomy fusion on C5-6 disc. Has this happened to anyone else??I am going to sue the dr. if possible. There are new laws for malpractice lawsuits now so we have to prove negligence. There were some very contrdiction things that happened so I think and my lawyer thinks we have a good case. Any info would help!!
Wendy

Hi Wendy,
I had the surgery with Dr. Nath last year, that was five years after my winging had developed from a traction injury. It was quick and relatively painless, but it did not change anything. If your pain is caused by bursitis or tendonitis secondary to the winging, then anything that restores muscle function to prevent the winging should help prevent the pain. Dr. Nath is the best source of information on this because he sees winging scapula cases every week.

As far as waiting to have the surgery, have you felt any improvement at all in the last ten months? How much longer will you have to wait for the surgery that you have scheduled now? I think one year would be long enough for severe winging that has not shown any improvement. Have you had an EMG since your C5-C6 fusion?

I have tried everything else in the last six years, and I am going to have the tendon transfer in December. Has anyone else here had the tendon transfer with Dr. Warner? I would like to hear about the results. Also, does anyone know of a good brace to stop the winging?

I have had the good fortune to get to know a brace maker who has tried a number of bracing options. If anybody wants the story or pics please let me know. I have found that the brace is the only way to decrease and even eliminate the pain, but there is a compromise to be made - they limit movement and can be hot in the summer. We are also trying new designs all the time. Currently I have a brace for putting even scapula pressure on both sides for balance and positioning, a vest with a hinged lower back section for exercise, and we are working on a constant wearing version for everyday and sleeping. they have helped me a ton!! Feel free to contact me: dehmlow@prodigy.net

John,
I can't believe you're surgery with Nath didn't work. Did it atleast take the winging away?? The only reason I am doing it is because of the pain!! Now with all the refugees going to Texas I think I'm definatley going to think about this for a few more months . I think Housten is going to be crazy.I feel SOOO bad for those people. I'm going to my red cross today to donate something.I wake up every morning so sore and in pain. My only hope was Nath. You're not the only one that said it didn't help. How long did you have the winging before you got the surgery?They say the longer you wait the worse your chances of recovery.Thanks for all the info!!
Wendy

Hi Wendy,

I don't want you to worry too much about the surgery with Nath. For me it was a minor procedure and it did not cause any other problems or any noticeable scar. I had some numbness on the left side of my face for about three months, but it only bothered me when I shaved. Other than that I did not feel any change at all. I have talked to a few other people who had the surgery either with good results or with no results at all. The people who get better are lucky and probably don't spend much time looking at this message board. If I was in your shoes, I would probably try it.

I had winging for about five years before the surgery. To answer your pain question, I was under the impression that neurolysis is not intended to help with pain that emanates from the serratus anterior or the long thoracic nerve itself. Most of my pain is secondary to muscle imbalances and twisting in my upper back, I can't even feel my serratus anterior. Anything that restores the function of the serratus anterior should help correct the imbalance. Dr. Nath is really the best one to answer that, and he is usually good about returning emails.

Houston is one of the largest cities in the country; they have two major airports and the downtown area is very impressive. From what I saw they should be well equipped to handle some refugees. I doubt that the hurricane relief effort will interrupt your travel plans.

Good luck