What is Sprengel shoulder
Isabella Browning
Updated on March 29, 2026
Sprengel deformity is a rare congenital disorder
What does Sprengel mean?
: an air pump in which exhaustion is produced by drops of mercury running down a narrow tube and trapping bubbles of gas between them.
Is Sprengel's deformity a disability?
Sprengel’s deformity of the shoulder is a dysplasia of the pectoral girdle, resulting in cosmetic and functional disability. The deformity is associated with other congenital anomalies, which often dictate the management and outcome of treatment.
How do you fix Sprengel deformity?
Many people with Sprengel deformity do not need surgery and may have physical therapy to maintain range of motion and strengthen weak muscles. For those who do require surgery, the goals are to release the binding of the scapula and relocate the scapula.What causes a deformed shoulder?
Causes of scapular dyskinesis include: Weakness, imbalance, tightness, or detachment of the muscles that control the scapula. Injuries to the nerves that supply the muscles. Injuries to the bones that support the scapula or injuries within the shoulder joint.
How common is Sprengels?
The true incidence is unknown and, although the condition is rare, it is the most common congenital shoulder girdle deformity. It may be associated with cervical spine and renal anomalies. A diagnosis of Klippel-Feil should be ruled out as 20-42% of patients with Klippel-Feil have Sprengel’s deformity (Hensinger 1974).
What does scapular winging indicate?
If the winged scapula is the result of nerve damage, it can cause weakness in the muscles of your neck, shoulders, and arms. That weakness can make lifting, pulling, and pushing heavy objects hard. Scapular winging often affects your ability to raise your arm above your shoulder.
Is KFS hereditary?
In most cases, Klippel Feil syndrome (KFS) is not inherited in families and the cause is unknown. In some families, KFS is due to a genetic alteration in the GDF6, GDF3 or MEOX1 gene and can be inherited. When KFS is caused by mutations in the GDF6 or GDF3 genes, it is inherited in an autosomal dominant manner.Is winged scapula normal?
A winged scapula is considered normal posture in young children, but not older children and adults.
Which part of the body is affected by a disease called deformity?Tendons with their muscles and bursae are adjacent to joints and function in joint mobility. Deformity of the joint can occur with disease or injury to any of these structures of the joint.
Article first time published onIs Sprengel's deformity painful?
Generally, these abnormalities tend to be painless. The degree of elevation and displacement in Sprengel deformity can vary greatly from one person to another and can range from very mild, in which the abnormality cannot be seen when wearing clothes, to severe cases in which the shoulder is noticeably elevated.
Is Klippel Feil syndrome progressive?
Surgical treatment of KFS is indicated in a variety of situations. As a result of fusion anomalies and the difference in growth potential of the anomalous vertebral bodies, deformity may be progressive. Instability of the cervical spine can develop because of craniocervical abnormalities.
What is Omovertebral bone?
The omovertebral bone is an abnormal connection between the posterior cervical spine and the superomedial border of the scapula that occurs in 30% to 50% of patients with Sprengel deformity 3. This accessory bone may be a remnant ossification center, but its true origin is not known 4.
How do I get rid of a bump on my AC joint?
Placing the arm in a sling to hold the shoulder in place as it heals, application of cold packs, and medications are among the most common nonsurgical treatments used to help manage pain. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, naproxen or aspirin may provide some relief from symptoms.
What is a Popeye deformity?
The long head of your biceps goes into your shoulder. “When that tendon tears, your muscle contracts like a ball that looks like Popeye when he eats spinach, which is why this injury is colloquially known as the Popeye deformity,” says sports medicine physician Dominic King, DO.
When should I worry about shoulder blade pain?
Any back or shoulder pain that lingers a few weeks or interferes with daily activities should be evaluated by a doctor. If your pain is severe or accompanied by other red flag symptoms—such as headache, tingling, weakness, or nausea—seek immediate medical attention.
Is a winged scapula serious?
Scapular winging is a rare, but potentially debilitating condition that can affect the ability to lift, pull, and push heavy objects, as well as to perform daily activities of living, such as brushing one’s hair and teeth and carrying grocery bags [1].
What nerve causes scapular winging?
The most common cause of scapular winging is paralysis of the serratus anterior muscle due to the injury of the long thoracic nerve. Dorsal scapular neuropathy may result in abnormal motion of the shoulder joint with scapular winging.
How long does scapular winging take to fix?
Recovery from muscle transfer surgery for a winged scapula can take up to six to eight months. The arm may be immobilized for the first few weeks, with gentle motion exercises employed thereafter, to gradually restore the shoulder’s range of motion and alleviate discomfort in the arm.
What is shoulder dyskinesia?
Scapular dyskinesis (which may also be referred to as SICK scapula syndrome) is an alteration or deviation in the normal resting or active position of the scapula during shoulder movement. For most people, the scapula moves in abnormal ways due to the repetitive use of the shoulder.
What exercises fix winged scapula?
- Scapular retraction. This involves pulling the shoulder blades back while in a standing position. …
- External rotation. From a standing position, attach an exercise band to a closed door or another secure object. …
- Horizontal row. …
- Standard pushups. …
- Angel wings.
Do push-ups help winged scapula?
Scapular push-ups can help fix winged scapula. Physical therapists rely on exercises like scapular push-ups to help correct winged scapula, a condition where the scapula muscles are weak, causing them to protrude like wings.
Is Klippel-Feil syndrome painful?
Klippel-Feil syndrome (KFS) symptoms can range from minor discomfort to severe pain and limited range of motion in the neck.
Is Klippel-Feil syndrome fatal?
When Klippel-Feil Syndrome Is Serious Some cases of KFS can become serious and potentially life-threatening in a few different ways: Cervical myelopathy.
Can Klippel-Feil syndrome be cured?
There is no cure for Klippel-Feil syndrome. Treatment is ordered when certain issues — such as spinal curvatures, muscle weaknesses or heart problems — occur and need to be treated.
Can arthritis cause bone deformity?
Unlike the wear-and-tear damage of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis affects the lining of your joints, causing a painful swelling that can eventually result in bone erosion and joint deformity.
What is the main cause of deformity?
Common causes of acquired deformities include misaligned broken bones, osteoarthritis (a disease that causes the joints to degenerate), and conditions like cancer and thyroid disease that cause tumors, goiters, or other masses to form. Some acquired deformities may be visible, but many are not.
Does arthritis cause deformity?
The cartilage in your joints can wear away unevenly. Additionally, the tissues and ligaments designed to hold the joints in place grow weaker as arthritis progresses. These two developments can cause deformities in your fingers and hands. As the condition worsens, the deformity will be more obvious.
What is Klippel-Feil syndrome and how is it treated?
Treatment for Klippel-Feil Syndrome is symptomatic and may include surgery to relieve cervical or craniocervical instability and constriction of the spinal cord, and to correct scoliosis. Physical therapy may also be useful.
Is Klippel-Feil syndrome life expectancy?
In less than 30% of cases, individuals with KFS will present with heart defects. If these heart defects are present, they often lead to a shortened life expectancy, the average being 35–45 years of age among males and 40–50 among females. This condition is similar to the heart failure seen in gigantism.
How common is Klippel-Feil?
Klippel-Feil syndrome is estimated to occur in 1 in 40,000 to 42,000 newborns worldwide. Females seem to be affected slightly more often than males.