A winged scapula is a condition where the shoulder blade does not fit properly in the shoulder socket. It can cause pain, weakness, and restricted movement. Most people with a winged scapula have no underlying disease that causes their problems.
Key takeaways
A winged scapula is a condition where the shoulder blade does not fit properly in the socket.
It can cause pain, weakness, and restricted movement and is more common in older adults.
There are various other causes of a winged scapula, including infection, radiation therapy, and trauma.
Slouching is often associated with a winged scapula, but it is not the only cause.
It is important to consider your posture and whether it may be contributing to any shoulder pain or discomfort.
What is a winged scapula?
A winged scapula is a condition where the shoulder blade is shifted from its normal position. It can occur in people of any age but is more common in older adults and those with chronic pain or injury.
Winged scapula occurs when there’s an imbalance between the muscles that move your shoulder blade and those that stabilize it. Therefore, you may experience pain and restricted movement in your upper back. You will begin to pull your shoulder blade out of place over time if you sit at a computer with poor posture all day (like me).
Are there other causes of the winged scapula?
- Muscle weakness or imbalance. An unbalanced shoulder can cause a winged scapula and other symptoms, such as pain on one side of the body and difficulty lifting the arms.
- Trauma to the shoulder. Suppose you have sustained an injury to your shoulders, such as a fall or an accident at work. In that case, it may cause damage to your muscles, resulting in a winged scapula (but it isn’t typically related to slouching).
- Infection. Infections can cause swelling around bones, putting pressure on nerves and blood vessels connected to them. These effects can result in winged scapulas.
- Radiation treatment for cancer or another disease (such as heart disease): Certain types of radiation therapy can cause winged scapulas.
How does slouching cause a winged scapula?
When you slouch, your shoulder blades rotate forward, and the muscles and ligaments pull on the shoulder blade to keep it there. As a result, your shoulder blades rotate forward into winged positions. The scapula should be in a neutral position, with the blade resting on the back of your ribs.
Scapular dyskinesis occurs when your scapula is not resting properly on your rib cage. Good posture helps our muscles function properly and reduces pain or discomfort in our shoulders, upper backs, knees, ankles, feet, and lower backs.
Slouching causes the shoulder blade to shift from its position.
- Slouching causes the shoulder blade to shift from its position.
- The shoulder blade is attached to the ribs and spine, making it a wing-shaped bone that attaches to the spine.
- It stabilizes your shoulder joint, which makes up about 20 percent of your upper body mass.
Slouching is not the only cause of a winged scapula, but it can be a contributing factor. There are other causes as well, including muscle imbalances and genetic predispositions.
Slouching is often associated with bad posture and sitting for long periods without breaking up those positions with movement or stretching. Consequently, before making any changes to how you sleep at night, make sure your poor posture is not contributing to your shoulder discomfort or pain!
FAQ
Here are some questions people often ask about the winged scapula:
What causes a winged scapula?
There are some things that can cause winged scapula, including:
Muscular imbalance: This is the most common cause of winged scapula. It occurs when the muscles holding the shoulder blade are not balanced. This can be caused by an injury or overuse of the muscles.
Nerve damage: This can occur due to an injury or surgery. Damaged nerves can weaken the muscles and cause the shoulder blade to move out of place.
-Bone deformity: This rare condition can be present at birth or develop later in life.
What are the symptoms of a winged scapula?
The most common symptom of a winged scapula is visible changes to the shoulder blade. The shoulder blade may stick out from the back and look like it has wings. Other symptoms may include:
Pain in the neck, shoulder, or back
Muscle weakness
Limited range of motion
Numbness or tingling in the arm
How is a winged scapula diagnosed?
Your doctor will ask about your medical history and symptoms. They will also do a physical examination to rule out other conditions with similar symptoms. Your doctor may also order tests, such as:
X-rays to check for fractures or other abnormalities
CT scans or MRIs to get a more detailed view of the bones and muscles
Electromyography (EMG) to check the electrical activity of your muscles
Can you fix a winged scapula?
Yes, a winged scapula can be treated. Treatment will depend on the underlying cause. In most cases, treatment will focus on correcting the muscular imbalance.
This may involve:
Physical therapy to stretch and strengthen the muscles
Bracing or taping to support the shoulder blades.
Injections to reduce inflammation and pain
Surgery in rare cases
With treatment, most people with a winged scapula improve and have no further problems.
Is scapular winging serious?
Winged scapula is not a life-threatening condition. However, it can cause pain and limited mobility.
What happens if a winged scapula is left untreated?
If the winged scapula remains untreated, the condition may improve on its own. However, the shoulder blade will likely remain out of place. You may experience pain and limited mobility as a result. Treatment can help improve symptoms and prevent further problems.
How long does it take to fix a winged scapula?
Treatment will vary depending on the underlying cause of the winged scapula. In most cases, treatment will focus on correcting the muscular imbalance, which may take several weeks or months. However, most people with a winged scapula improve with treatment and have no further problems.
