Anatomo-experimental study for lace fixation of winged scapula in muscular dystrophy

Surgical management of bilateral scapular winging in a previously healthy 10-year-old boy: A case report

Introduction

Scapular winging is a pathological condition that occurs due to dysfunction of any scapulothoracic muscles, most commonly the serratus anterior which is innervated by long thoracic nerve.

Case presentation

Herein, we report a 10-year-old boy presented with bilateral scapular winging for a few months, associated with vague discomfort upon shoulder movements. After taking history and performing physical examination and tests as electromyography, he was diagnosed with idiopathic bilateral scapular winging as there was no obvious cause or risk factor for his bilateral scapular winging.

Discussion

Scapular winging causes decrease strength and range of motion of the shoulder, the usual complain of patients is discomfort or the unpleasant cosmetic appearance of scapular prominence, this condition, if left untreated, can cause various negative consequences on the shoulder joint, detailed history and physical exam reinforced by electromyography are crucial in determining the cause of winging, as it has many causes, initial management can be conservative, but various surgical approaches have been described for more severe cases which compromise shoulder function, choice of the surgical approach depends on the underlying cause and overall clinical picture of the patient.

Conclusion

bilateral scapular winging is rare condition, only 26th cases were reported in literature, it occurs due to multiple causes, treatment can be conservative at early stages, but surgical option should be considered when shoulder function and strength become compromised.

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Bilateral scapular winging is quite rare condition that has different causes, only 26 cases were reported in literature.

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Patients usually complain about discomfort, unpleasant cosmetic appearance.

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Management of the choice for this condition depends on the overall clinical picture and patient's condition.

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Split pectoralis major transfer technique has been used in this patient.

[Current strategies of conservative and operative treatment of the most frequent muscular disorders]

Though up to now no causal treatment for the majority of neuromuscular disorders is available, their disease progress and above all the quality of life of these patients can be decisively improved by established medical procedures. The main symptom is variably rapid, progressive muscle weakness, which leads to muscular imbalance and differently manifested impairment of motor functions. This results in the essential orthopaedic problems in these patients, e.g. contractures and deformities of the lower and upper extremities, foot deformities and sitting instability due to progressive scoliosis. Since the affected muscles have no physiological adaptability, they cannot be trained like healthy muscles. The orthopaedic treatment includes conservative methods, e.g. physiotherapy, orthotic devices and aids as well as surgical spine stabilisation and correction of the contractures of the lower extremities. Very important in the care of patients with neuromuscular disorders are the early prophylaxis and treatment of respiratory insufficiency by regular respiratory therapy to learn breathing and coughing techniques and self-exercises as well as the timely initiation of assisted ventilation.

Scapular fixation in muscular dystrophy

BACKGROUND

Winging of the scapula is caused by weakness of the thoracoscapular muscles, which allows the scapula to lift off the chest wall during shoulder movements. In facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (and occasionally in other muscular dystrophies) there is selective weakness of the thoracoscapular muscles which may spare other shoulder muscles such as the deltoid muscle. This imbalance results in significant winging and loss of shoulder function. Historically, a number of different surgical and non-surgical interventions have been used to achieve scapular stability. This review examines the evidence available for the use of all scapular fixation techniques in muscular dystrophy, especially facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy.

OBJECTIVES

To examine the evidence for the relative efficacy of scapular fixation techniques in muscular dystrophy (especially facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy) in improving upper limb function.

SEARCH STRATEGY

We searched the Cochrane Neuromuscular Disease Group Trials Specialized Register (20 July 2009), The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (The Cochrane Library Issue 3, 2009) Medline (1966 to July 2009) and EMBASE (1980 to July 2009) for randomised trials. We also contacted authors of trials and other experts in the field.

SELECTION CRITERIA

All reports of scapular fixation for muscular dystrophy, including quasi-randomised or randomised controlled trials, comparing any form of scapular fixation (surgical and non-surgical) in people (of all ages and of all severity) with scapular winging due to muscular dystrophy. Our primary outcome measure was objective improvement in shoulder abduction. Our secondary outcome measures were: patient-perceived improvement in performance of activities of daily living, cosmetic results, subjective improvement in pain and proportion of patients with significant postoperative complications.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

We collated and summarised studies on the treatment of scapular winging in muscular dystrophy.

MAIN RESULTS

No randomised trials were identified. We therefore present a review of the non-randomised literature available.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

There is no evidence from randomised trials to support the suggestion from observational studies that operative interventions produce significant benefits. However, these have to be balanced against postoperative immobilisation, need for physiotherapy and potential complications. We conclude that a randomised trial would be difficult, but a register of cases and the use of a standardised assessment protocol would allow more accurate comparison of the disparate techniques.

Winged scapula as the presenting symptom of Chiari I malformation and syringomyelia

CASE REPORT

We report a 19-year-old girl with a 4-month history of an inability to fully elevate her upper extremity past the horizontal position. Physical examination revealed a winged scapula. MRI was demonstrative of a Chiari I malformation with a small cervical syrinx eccentrically placed to the same side as the dysfunctional extremity.

DISCUSSION

We believe this to be the first report of dysfunction of the long thoracic nerve via a hindbrain hernia-induced syrinx with a resultant winged scapula. We would hypothesize that enough anterior horn motor neurons and their axons destined for the long thoracic nerve were injured by the syringomyelia to result in isolated deinnervation of the serratus anterior muscle.

CONCLUSION

The clinician may wish to include syringomyelia in the differential diagnosis of a winged scapula.

Scapulothoracic arthrodesis in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy

Forty-nine scapulothoracic arthrodeses were done in 33 patients with facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy to improve upper limb performance during activities of daily living. Mean followup was 102 months (range, 12-257 months). An initial average increase in shoulder abduction of 25 degrees and forward elevation of 29 degrees was seen. Complications included pleural effusion in four patients, atelectasis in one patient, stress fractures in both scapulas in one patient, asymptomatic fractures of the two lower wired ribs in one patient, and spontaneously reversible neurologic complications in two patients. No effect on respiratory function was seen.

Scapular fixation in muscular dystrophy

BACKGROUND

Winging of the scapula is caused by weakness of the thoracoscapular muscles, which allows the scapula to lift off the chest wall during shoulder movements. In facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (and occasionally in other muscular dystrophies) there is selective weakness of the thoracoscapular muscles which may spare other shoulder muscles such as the deltoid muscle. This imbalance results in significant winging and loss of shoulder function. Historically, a number of different surgical and non-surgical interventions have been used to achieve scapular stability. This review examines the evidence available for the use of all scapular fixation techniques in muscular dystrophy, especially facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy.

OBJECTIVES

To examine the evidence for the relative efficacy of scapular fixation techniques in muscular dystrophy (especially fascioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy) in improving upper limb function.

SEARCH STRATEGY

We searched the Cochrane Neuromuscular Disease Group trials register (search updated March 2003) for randomised trials and other reports, and made enquiries from authors of trials and other experts in the field.

SELECTION CRITERIA

All reports of scapular fixation for muscular dystrophy, including quasi-randomised or randomised controlled trials, comparing any form of scapular fixation (surgical and non-surgical) in people (of all ages and of all severity) with scapular winging due to muscular dystrophy. Our primary outcome measure was objective improvement in shoulder abduction. Our secondary outcome measures were: patient-perceived improvement in performance of activities of daily living, cosmetic results, subjective improvement in pain and proportion of patients with significant postoperative complications.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

We collated and summarised studies on the treatment of scapular winging in muscular dystrophy.

MAIN RESULTS

No randomised trials were identified. We therefore present a review of the non-randomised literature available.

REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS

Operative interventions appear to produce significant benefits, though these have to be balanced against postoperative immobilisation, need for physiotherapy and potential complications. We conclude that a randomised trial would be difficult, but a register of cases and the use of a standardised assessment protocol would allow more accurate comparison of the disparate techniques.