Classically, patients present and pain and weakness related to movements involving the scapula. The classic findings are a difficulty with elevating the arm above the head and lifting objects.[2] Due to multiple different etiologies of a winged scapula, the histories gathered from presenting patients may differ. In one study, the pain was not associated with every case whereas fatigue was a significant characteristic.[3] On physical exam, providers should be able to recognize deformation of the back due to a protrusion of the medial portion of the scapula which is not anchored against the rib cage. Due to this muscle pathology, the movement involving upward rotation, abduction, and there is a limitation of elevation of the scapula due to weakness or pain. One clinical test that providers can use to assess patients is to have the patient face a wall and stand with the affected arm out in front of their body, parallel to the floor. The patient should then be instructed to push against the wall with the palm of their hand on the affected side. A protrusion of the medial portion of the scapula should then be apparent.

In most cases, winging of the scapula is not seen immediately but may take weeks to become obvious.

In most cases, the practitioner can evaluate scapular winging with a proper history and physical examination. Electrodiagnostic testing can help to establish the underlying neuromuscular pathology. Furthermore, neuromuscular ultrasound can be used not only to establish the muscular pathology, but also the neurologic causes of the muscle pathology. Ultrasound can be used to provide for a painless and radiation-free method of imaging that can be used to evaluate for winging of the scapula.[4] More specific methods for scapular winging evaluation include electromyography and nerve conduction studies. These studies are sensitive and specific in determining the exact nerve involved in the pathology as well as the location of the damage by recording the electrical activity produced by muscles and evaluating how fast an impulse moves through a specific nerve.[5] The benefit of these measures of evaluation is that early diagnosis and early treatment can help prevent more severe shoulder dysfunction.

Management of winged scapula is primarily achieved utilizing conservative measures such as pain control and physical therapy. Physical therapy helps to preserve the range of motion of the affected extremity as well as prevent possible complications such as adhesive capsulitis. Most people who have scapular winging and receive early treatment can achieve full recovery. In many cases, patients learn to compensate for the serratus anterior palsy by utilizing the trapezius muscle. With conservative therapy, the recovery may take months or years. If no recovery has occurred within this time, it is unlikely that the patient will recover.

Surgical procedures to manage scapular winging include scapulothoracic arthrodesis and scapulopexy without arthrodesis. In these procedures, the scapula is fused to the third to sixth ribs to prevent potential dyskinesis and winging. Muscle transfer is also an option in some patients where the sternal head of the pectoralis major is transferred to the inferior angle of the scapula. However, this procedure is not recommended for athletes or individuals involved in heavy labor.

Unlike serratus anterior muscle palsy which can recovery with conservative management, paralysis of the trapezius rarely improves with such treatment. While pain may improve with exercise, the neck asymmetry does not. In many cases, exploration and nerve repair yields better results. In young healthy individuals, lateral transfer of the levator scapula and rhomboid muscles to the scapula has proven durable and effective. Finally, some patients may benefit from botulinum toxin, but the therapy is temporary and prohibitively expensive in the long run.

Those presenting with signs and symptoms of scapular winging can present similarly to other pathologies of the upper extremities and scapula. The pain and associated weakness and discomfort of the upper extremity are seen in other diagnoses as well [5]. Some presentations can appear similar to rotator cuff disorders due to the limited motion and weakness with the associated arm. Glenohumeral instability is also a differential diagnosis as the patient may report instability of the shoulder. When the diagnosis is scapular winging, however, it is the instability of the scapula rather than the glenohumeral joint. Peripheral nerve disorders, cervical spine disease could also mimic scapular winging and should be ruled out. Thoracic outlet syndrome and acromioclavicular disorders might also be included in the differential, likely because the presentation of associated pain and weakness with the affected anatomy can be similar.

Currently, no treatment method is considered to be the first line for resolution of scapular winging. As discussed prior, the recommended treatment for initial treatment is pain control and physical therapy.[3] If treatment is not initiated early on in the progression of the condition, patients can develop subsequent issues such as adhesive capsulitis (or frozen shoulder), subacromial impingement and other pathogenesis involving the brachial plexus.

Often, when scapular winging is present due to injury to the long thoracic nerve, other nerves, and structures near the anatomy can be affected as well. The long thoracic nerve, which is usually the nerve affected in this condition and leads to scapular winging, comes off of the brachial plexus, a network of nerves formed that initiates at the lower four cervical nerve roots and the first thoracic nerve root (C5 - T1). Damage to the brachial plexus can cause neurologic problems in the upper extremities and the trunk.[6] The long thoracic nerve is a peripheral nerve that comes off of the brachial plexus. Studies have shown that during surgery, destruction of trunks of the brachial plexus can be traumatic and loss of function is associated with atrophy of the corresponding muscles.

Like many other clinical pathologies, it is best to practice preventative measures to avoid scapular winging then to try to treat it once it has manifested in symptoms. The course of clinical cases in winging of the scapula can persist for up to two years. Most patients eventually recover, but at least one-fourth may have residual pain.[7]

An interprofessional team providing care to a patient with scapular winging is crucial in ensuring the best health outcome of the individual. The integrated postoperative care given to the patient can determine whether the patient will make a full recovery or to what extent. When the patient is under post-operative management, all members of the interprofessional team, including the nurse and physical therapist involved in patient care, should be made aware of scapular winging as a potential complication. Thus, nurses who work closely with the patients can monitor and know what to look for to alert the medical team. The pharmacist should educate the patient on pain management and the physical therapist should recommend the relevant exercises. That way, early and effective intervention can commence before the patient presents with symptoms. Prevention of this condition will clearly lead to the best outcomes in patient care. Interprofessional care can lead to the best success in the planning and evaluation of patient progress in recovery. Collaboration is guaranteed to result in better prognosis and outcome for the patient as an integrated approach to care.[8]