Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Long thoracic nerve injury.

J M Wiater1, E L Flatow

  • 1Shoulder Service, New York Orthopaedic Hospital, NY, USA.

Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research
|December 29, 1999
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Inhibition of apoptosis exacerbates fatigue-damage tendon injuries in an in vivo rat model.

European cells & materials·2018
Same author

The effect of deltoid lengthening on functional outcome for reverse shoulder arthroplasty.

Musculoskeletal surgery·2016
Same author

The effect of glenosphere size on functional outcome for reverse shoulder arthroplasty.

Musculoskeletal surgery·2016
Same author

Delayed exercise promotes remodeling in sub-rupture fatigue damaged tendons.

Journal of orthopaedic research : official publication of the Orthopaedic Research Society·2015
Same author

Early outcomes of staged bilateral reverse total shoulder arthroplasty: a case-control study.

The bone & joint journal·2013
Same author

Prosthetic replacement in rotator cuff-deficient shoulders.

Journal of shoulder and elbow surgery·2012
Same journal

Which Factors Are Associated With Death, Local Recurrence, and Perioperative Complications After En Bloc Resection for Primary Malignant Tumors of the Mobile Spine?

Clinical orthopaedics and related research·2026
Same journal

Impact Microindentation Evaluates Bone Strength, Bone Quality, and Fracture Susceptibility Across Skeletal Sites: A Cadaver Study.

Clinical orthopaedics and related research·2026
Same journal

What Is the Effect of Robot Reduction in Displaced Pelvic Fractures? A Multicenter Randomized Clinical Trial.

Clinical orthopaedics and related research·2026
Same journal

CORR Insights®: Acute or Delayed TKA for Tibial Plateau Fracture? An Observational Study From the Swedish Arthroplasty Register.

Clinical orthopaedics and related research·2026
Same journal

Reply to the Letter to the Editor: Guest Editorial: Recalling a Recall.

Clinical orthopaedics and related research·2026
Same journal

Radial Head Fractures Cluster in the Anterolateral and Anteromedial Quadrants and Do Not Correlate With Coronoid Fracture Types.

Clinical orthopaedics and related research·2026
See all related articles

Serratus anterior weakness due to long thoracic nerve injury can cause disabling symptoms. Surgical transfer of the pectoralis major tendon offers effective relief for persistent cases.

Area of Science:

  • Orthopedic Surgery
  • Neurology
  • Sports Medicine

Background:

  • Injury to the long thoracic nerve can lead to serratus anterior muscle paralysis or weakness.
  • This condition, known as serratus palsy, presents with shoulder pain, weakness, limited elevation, and characteristic scapular winging.
  • Dysfunction may arise from trauma or spontaneously, with conservative treatment often taking up to two years for recovery.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the diagnosis and management of serratus anterior palsy.
  • To evaluate the effectiveness of surgical reconstruction for persistent cases unresponsive to conservative care.

Main Methods:

  • Review of literature on long thoracic nerve injury and serratus anterior dysfunction.
  • Analysis of surgical outcomes, focusing on tendon transfer procedures.

Related Experiment Videos

Main Results:

  • Most patients improve with conservative management, though recovery can be prolonged.
  • Surgical transfer of the sternal head of the pectoralis major tendon to the inferior scapular angle is the preferred surgical approach.
  • This procedure demonstrates good to excellent results, consistently improving function, eliminating scapular winging, and reducing pain.

Conclusions:

  • Serratus palsy is a potentially disabling condition requiring accurate diagnosis and management.
  • Surgical reconstruction, particularly pectoralis major tendon transfer, is a viable and effective option for patients with severe symptoms refractory to conservative treatment.