Exercises
Scapula alata can be reduced by regular practice of various exercises under specific guidance. Affected patients can learn the exercises from physiotherapists or in rehabilitation clinics. The aim of the training is to strengthen the muscles of the shoulder girdle, which keeps the shoulder blade in the correct position and pulls it closer to the chest again.
The process requires continuous training. Many exercises are performed with the help of equipment or even a Thera-band. To increase strength endurance, the patient sits upright and has the Thera-Band fixed in front of them at shoulder level.
By pulling and slackening, whereby the elbows are angled at 90 degrees to the upper body, the patient strengthens the shoulder muscles and also the arms. Another exercise can be performed in a similar way. For this, the patient stands upright and pulls the Thera-Band with stretched arm.
In another exercise the Thera-band is fixed near the floor. Now the patient stands sideways and pulls the band with a diagonal movement so that the upper body turns in the opposite direction. This trains the lateral muscles such as the saw muscle and also the back muscles.
Further exercises can be pure holding and stretching exercises. In addition, exercises are performed on machines where the arm movement is from top to bottom and thus trains the shoulder and neck muscles. A trained physiotherapist or the patient’s physician will tell the patient which exercises are suitable for him or her.The careful and correct execution of the exercises has a considerable influence on the success of the therapy.
Can an operation help?
If the scapula alata is caused by damage to a nerve, for example the thoracic long nerve or the Accessorius nerve, surgery can help to alleviate the symptoms. In the case of nerve damage, various surgical procedures can be considered, such as a nerve transplantation or an operation according to Eden-Lange. If the scapula alata is part of a neurological disorder such as muscle dysrtrophy or due to poor posture, other treatment methods are indicated.
