Don’t try to diagnose or treat WS on your own. See your doctor if you have a protruding shoulder blade or if there’s pain in your shoulder area that limits your ability to do daily activities like brushing your teeth or pushing a shopping cart.
During physical therapy sessions, you’ll do targeted range-of-motion and scapula-strengthening exercises. You’ll probably also be shown exercises to do at home. Recovering from WS is a long-term process, so plan on attending physical therapy sessions for several months, and possibly 6 months or more.
Ask your doctor and physical therapist for recommendations. Medical massages will likely be more beneficial, but spa-style massages can also help. If massage therapy has been recommended by your doctor, you’ll probably attend sessions for at least as long as your physical therapy sessions – possibly 6 months or longer. Massage therapy may or may not be covered by your insurer.
Apply either heat or ice for about 20-30 minutes at a time, unless otherwise directed. You can typically apply heat or ice as often as desired. Don’t apply an ice pack or bag of ice directly to your skin. Wrap it in a towel first. You may need a helper to hold the heat/ice pack in place, or to wrap it in position.
A winger’s brace isn’t appropriate for all cases of WS, so follow your doctor’s guidance. Your doctor will fit you for a brace, help arrange for one through a medical supply company, and show you how to put it on.
Take any prescribed WS medications exactly as advised, and watch for any side effects pointed out by your doctor and/or pharmacist. Among their possible side effects, muscle relaxants can cause drowsiness, sleepiness, muscle weakness, and lethargy; NSAIDs can cause allergic reactions or exacerbate stomach ulcers; acetaminophen (Tylenol) can cause liver problems; and opioid analgesics can lead to dependency with long-term use.
Nerve and/or muscle transfers. Nerves and/or muscle tissues from other parts of your upper body will be relocated in order to repair the damage to your scapula and the surrounding area. Static stabilization. An internal sling will be implanted in order to reconnect your scapula to your upper back. Scapulothoracic fusion. This is a last-resort procedure that fuses your scapula directly to your ribcage. It can cause significant range-of-motion limitations and lung problems, among other issues. [7] X Research source
If you’ve been diagnosed with WS, follow the exercise program recommended by your doctor and/or physical therapist. In some cases, strengthening exercises — especially if overdone — can cause further damage. If you’ve never had WS, these exercises are still a great way to build shoulder strength and flexibility.
Each exercise gets its name from the letter shape your body approximates during the maneuver. I: Move your hands to your hips, with your palms up and your thumbs pointing toward your thighs. Flutter your arms up and down. T: Hold your hands out to your sides, with your palms down. Flutter your arms up and down. Y: Move your hands halfway between out to the side and straight above your head. Flutter up and down with your palms down. W: Bend your elbows and tuck them against your sides while keeping your hands extended at the “Y” angle. Then extend your arms back out into the full “Y” position and repeat for the entire 15 seconds. [9] X Research source
Do 2-3 sets of 10-15 repetitions each, with a short rest between sets. Start with a light resistance exercise band, then slowly move up to greater resistance levels once your current level no longer presents a challenge.
Do 10-15 repetitions per set, and between 2-3 sets.
Do 2-3 sets apiece with each arm. You may eventually be able to move up to a heavier medicine ball.
Try doing 2-3 sets of 10-15 repetitions apiece. You can start with a lighter medicine ball (or even a soccer ball or volleyball) if needed, and move up to a heavier ball once you are physically ready for a greater challenge.
Do 10 repetitions and 2 sets. Keeping the ball secure beneath you takes practice and adequate upper body strength. Ease into this exercise and consider working with a spotter who holds the ball. Otherwise, the ball might squirt free and you’ll fall on your face!
If you have WS, you’ll almost certainly also experience pain in your shoulder, upper arm, upper back, and/or neck when you lift your arm. The pain may be strong enough to make common tasks like brushing your teeth or pushing a shopping cart difficult.
Inform your doctor if you, for instance, have begun playing tennis regularly or have taken on a new job planting trees and shrubs.
Traumatic injury. Car accidents, for instance, can cause tissue and nerve damage that contribute to WS. Surgery. If particular nerves are damaged during a surgical procedure involving your shoulder, upper back, or chest, WS can occur. Illness. Viral illnesses like the flu and medical conditions like muscular dystrophy can sometimes contribute to WS. So too can allergic reactions, drug overdoses, or exposure to toxins. All these causes are exceedingly rare, though.
If there is still doubt, your doctor may recommend electromyography (nerve stimulation via electrode needles inserted into your muscles) in order to confirm a WS diagnosis. But this is unnecessary in most cases. [14] X Trustworthy Source Johns Hopkins Medicine Official resource database of the world-leading Johns Hopkins Hospital Go to source
