Dorsal scapular neuropathy causing rhomboids palsy and scapular winging

Article type: Case Report

Authors: Argyriou, Andreas A.^* | Karanasios, Panagiotis | Makridou, Alexandra | Makris, Nicolaos

Affiliations: Department of Neurology, ``Saint Andrew's'' General Hospital of Patras, Patras, Greece

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding author: Andreas A. Argyriou, Department of Neurology, ``Saint Andrew's'' State General Hospital of Patras, 26335, Patras, Greece. Tel./Fax: +30 2610227969; E-mail: andargyriou@yahoo.gr

Abstract: Most cases of scapular winging (SW) are attributed to either long thoracic or spinal accessory nerve lesions. Dorsal scapular nerve lesions are quite rare and the literature contains very few case reports of SW secondary to rhomboid paralysis. We are reporting the unusual case of a young patient who developed right-side scapular winging due to dorsal scapular neuropathy and rhomboids palsy, and we highlight the role of conservative treatment and rehabilitation for cases of mild/medium injury to the dorsal scapular nerve or to the rhomboid muscles. For those cases, physiotherapy is recommended, and this is mainly aimed at strengthening the trapezius in order to compensate for rhomboids weakness.

Keywords: Scapular winging, etiology, rhomboid palsy, dorsal scapular neuropathy

DOI: 10.3233/BMR-140583

Journal: Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, vol. 28, no. 4, pp. 883-885, 2015