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VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2, 2018; ABSTRACT, ORAL PRESENTATION AT THE AOPA’S 101ST NATIONAL ASSEMBLY, SEPT. 26-29, VANCOUVER, CANADA, 2018. DOI: 
https://doi.org/10.33137/cpoj.v1i2.32043           

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OPEN  ACCESS 

 

AOPA’S 101 ST NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ABSTRACTS, SEPTEMBER 26-29, VANCOUVER, CANADA, 2018 
 

ABSTRACT (ORAL PRESENTATION) 

CASE STUDY: THERMOPLASTIC SCAPULOTHORACIC ORTHOSIS FOR 

TREATMENT OF WINGING SCAPULA 

Steven Brown*,  Gary Trexler 

University of Oklahoma Health Science Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA. 

*E-mail: Steven-Brown@ouhsc.edu 
DOI: https://doi.org/10.33137/cpoj.v1i2.32043  

 

INTRODUCTION 

Winging scapula is a rare condition that can be painful 

and debilitating to the upper extremity involved1. This 

condition can affect the functional ability of the upper 

extremity, resulting in loss of range of motion, decreased 

power, and pain.1 The purpose of this study was to 

introduce and determine the clinical applicability of a 

custom thermoplastic scapulothoracic orthosis to aid in 

management of winging scapula. The thermoplastic 

scapulothoracic orthosis offers total contact and provides 

anterior-posterior compressive forces to stabilize the 

winging scapula. This design provides a semi-rigid 

structure that is lightweight and allows user adjustability. 

The study highlights the potential applicability of the 

custom thermoplastic scapulothoracic orthosis in the 

categories of pain, active range of motion at the shoulder, 

and overall self-reported activities of daily living. 

METHODS 

A 56-year-old male who experienced left winging 

scapula secondary to a traumatic work injury was 

evaluated and treated in the clinic. A custom 

scapulothoracic orthosis was designed, fabricated, and fit 

to the patient as part of his rehabilitation process. Prior to 

the fitting of the orthosis his pain levels were verbally 

discussed and the subject rated his pain on a scale of 0 to 

10, with 0 = no pain, and 10 = very much pain. Also, 

active range of motion was measured using a goniometer. 

After a six-week accommodation period these tests 

occurred again while wearing the orthosis and were 

compared. The subject stated that his pain levels had 

decreased his activities of daily living and caused him to 

live a more sedentary lifestyle.  

RESULTS 

The subject wore the scapulothoracic orthosis for 

approximately eight hours per day for six weeks. Self-

reported pain was reduced in resting activity from 8/10 

to 3/10. It was also reduced in glenohumeral flexion 

activities from 10/10 to 4/10. Active range of motion at 

the shoulder is listed in Table 1. Range of motion 

increased during shoulder flexion 106%, abduction 63%, 

internal rotation 55%, and external rotation 61%. The 

subject’s winging scapula was visually reduced, but not 

completely eliminated. The subject verbally reported that 

the orthosis made activities such as cooking, typing on a 

computer, and brushing his hair/teeth more tolerable. 

 

 
 Table 1. Active range of motion at the shoulder, with no 

orthosis and while wearing orthosis. 

CONCLUSION 

The use of a thermoplastic scapulothoracic orthosis in 

treatment of winging scapula secondary to a traumatic 

work injury had positive outcomes, including a reduction 

in pain levels, an increase in active range of motion and 

a reduction in visual scapular winging. The subject stated 

that with use of the orthosis, his activities of daily living 

increased. A limitation of the study includes the absence 

of an objective measurement technique used to measure 

scapular winging. 

SIGNIFICANCE 

The thermoplastic scapulothoracic orthosis is a viable 

option for treatment of winging scapula when surgery is 

not indicated or is not an option. 

REFERENCES 

1. Martin RM., Fish DE. Scapular winging: anatomical review, 

diagnosis, and treatments. Curr Rev Musculoskelet Med. 2008; 

1(1), 1–11. doi: 10.1007/s12178-007-9000-5 

 

 

 

mailto:Steven-Brown@ouhsc.edu
https://doi.org/10.33137/cpoj.v1i2.32043
https://dx.doi.org/10.1007%2Fs12178-007-9000-5

