Use of the cable-grip system in the treatment of winged scapula caused by post-traumatic combined nerve injury: a case report

Abstract

A twenty-three-year-old male patient developed winging of the scapula after a combined nerve injury following a gun-shot. Scapulothoracic arthrodesis was considered in order to relieve the patient’s complaints. Stabilization of the scapulothoracic joint was performed using a hitherto undescribed method with the use of a cable-grip system (Doll-Miles Trochanter&Cable Grip System-Howmedica). After a seven-month follow up, union was accomplished without any malposition; the patient’s complaint of pain disappeared, shoulder imbalance was restored with an improvement in shoulder abduction from 70 degrees to 100 degrees and in flexion from 110 degrees to 160 degrees.