ABSTRACT

Winged scapula is a rare disorder that causes functional limitation of the upper extremity. Serratus anterior, trapezius and rhomboid muscles (innervated by the long thoracic nerve, spinal accessory nerve, and dorsal scapular nerve, respectively) may develop due to many pathological conditions that may cause paralysis. While paralysis of the trapezius and rhomboid muscles leads to lateral winging, medial winging is observed in the case of paralysis of the serratus anterior muscle. Here, we present two cases presenting with a winged scapula clinic. The first case was a 45-year-old female patient who presented with lateral winging (damage to the spinal accessory nerve and dorsal scapular nerve), the other case was a 29-year-old female patient with medial winging (long thoracic nerve damage). Although the scapular winging is not a common condition in clinical practice, it is important because of its disabling potential that may affect the quality of life. The possible diagnosis should be considered in patients with shoulder pain and loss of strength in the shoulder girdle muscles.

Keywords: Scapular Winging, Thoracic Nerves, Serratus Anterior, Trapezius, Rhomboids