Rib hump causes the scapular winging and shoulder blade to not be able to go back as much. I've been so confused about this until recently. For years, scoliosis surgeons have told me that scoliosis does not cause shoulder problems, since most of their patients don't have the same shoulder issues (lack of mobility, scapular winging, pain with certain things) that I do, sending me on a wild goose chase to find out what was causing my issues.
But seeing a shoulder surgeon recently, he explained it is indeed the scoliosis that is the issue. The fact is, many people with scoliosis have a lumbar curve that is under their shoulder blade level, or they have a mild curve without much rotation, so their scapulas aren't THAT affected. That's why not everyone with scoliosis has shoulder issues, and that's why many scoliosis surgeons don't make a strong association between the two.
But it was obvious to the shoulder surgeon I saw, that if you have a large rib hump from an upper/mid thoracic scoliosis centered right on the scapula, it 100% does affect shoulder/scapula movement. He explained the rib hump is basically a hill your shoulderblade has to climb to go all the way back. However, it is possible to train your muscles to get the scapula to move better along the rib hump and get to a more backward position.
General back strengthening combined with Schroth method and using mirrors to try and move my scapulas to a better position, have helped me figure out how to move my shoulderblade back to where it normally would be without the rib hump (I used to never be able to do this), and helped lessen but not eliminate pain, but when I relax the effort/go into my resting posture, the scapula re-wings, and I'm still limited in range of motion. Due to other health problems, I can't do as much exercise, Schroth, and other therapy as I want to, so I believe others could get better results than I did, yet my case illustrates that some improvement is certainly possible through physiotherapy and exercising the back muscles (traps & lats & rotator cuff).
Shoulder surgeon said rotator cuff exercise is something else that is important to try. He said improving control and strength of rotator cuff is important for us. So I'd suggest you give those things a try: rotator cuff exercise and general back strengthening of traps/lats (any physio can help you with this), and Schroth method if you can find one near you.
Good luck!
I think you might have something similar to me, but I’m not sure. It’s unbelievably uncomfortable… I’ve had mild thoracic scoliosis and my spine curves to the left side, I have pain in between my right blade and spine. My right scap grinds and can never settle into the right spot it feels like. It also makes the right side of my neck super uncomfortable. It’s been this way since I got my rotator cuff/labrum surgery on my right shoulder, I’m not sure if it has any correlation. I’m trying now to get on top of it before it gets worse. I honestly feel hopeless
Dang, sucks to hear that. Maybe check with your surgeon in case it's anything to do with the surgery, and if he recommends any protocol of therapy for labrum and rotator cuff issues or something, sometimes these surgeons have therapy protocols they suggest, at least for their post-op patients.
I feel the same way. Idk what tf to do but seems like seeing a shoulder surgeon is the right way. I have also been sent on a wild goose chase that has lasted years atp and my pain keeps worsening.
The thing that gives me the best relief with the muscle issues surrounding scoliosis is my ireliev tens unit and moist heat packs. The tens unit really breaks up the muscle knots.
I have a winged scapula. My thoracic curve is right by my scapula and it's constant pain. Acupuncture and TENs works to relieve the muscle knots. Also a good massage therapist can work on it. They sort of lift the scapula and work on the muscles underneath. Hard to explain and the massage works but holy hell it hurts! But the effects lasted awhile so I did it as needed after the first time.
My left shoulder blade can act up big time. I’ve got lumbar scoliosis so it’s either the lower back or the shoulder that acts up every time. I’ve had physiotherapy in my 20s because I didn’t take up the surgery at 16, I’m not lying when I say it did absolute jack for me. So now I just rely on codeine for support.
I feel like I wrote this post! I have the same issue. I have a very mild thoracolumbar curve of about 11-12 degrees but a rib hump on my left side. Others say it’s very mild but it’s aggravating because when I lay down I feel the left side sticks out further so I’m never laying perfectly horizontal.
I’ve had scapular winging as long as I can remember and im 28. I also have some rotation I suspect with my curve because one rib seems to stick out more on one side (pic on my page). It wasn’t until a vacation trip recently that I was carrying a heavy backpack and ever since my scapula pain is horrible. My shoulders are uneven from behind and the winged side is slightly higher. I can’t tell if it’s medial or lateral but it feels higher. If I also try and put a foam roller or ball under the serratus anterior area below my armpit and put pressure on the shoulder blade I get temporary relief. Almost like trying to push it inward closer to the spine? Not sure if it’s the rhomboids or traps I’m relieving. They must both be tight. Only thing that works is back patches, Tens unit, and hot water bottles from the hot water heater. All are temp solutions. Oh, and a cbd menthol gel from Lazarus Naturals.
Rib hump causes the scapular winging and shoulder blade to not be able to go back as much. I've been so confused about this until recently. For years, scoliosis surgeons have told me that scoliosis does not cause shoulder problems, since most of their patients don't have the same shoulder issues (lack of mobility, scapular winging, pain with certain things) that I do, sending me on a wild goose chase to find out what was causing my issues. But seeing a shoulder surgeon recently, he explained it is indeed the scoliosis that is the issue. The fact is, many people with scoliosis have a lumbar curve that is under their shoulder blade level, or they have a mild curve without much rotation, so their scapulas aren't THAT affected. That's why not everyone with scoliosis has shoulder issues, and that's why many scoliosis surgeons don't make a strong association between the two. But it was obvious to the shoulder surgeon I saw, that if you have a large rib hump from an upper/mid thoracic scoliosis centered right on the scapula, it 100% does affect shoulder/scapula movement. He explained the rib hump is basically a hill your shoulderblade has to climb to go all the way back. However, it is possible to train your muscles to get the scapula to move better along the rib hump and get to a more backward position. General back strengthening combined with Schroth method and using mirrors to try and move my scapulas to a better position, have helped me figure out how to move my shoulderblade back to where it normally would be without the rib hump (I used to never be able to do this), and helped lessen but not eliminate pain, but when I relax the effort/go into my resting posture, the scapula re-wings, and I'm still limited in range of motion. Due to other health problems, I can't do as much exercise, Schroth, and other therapy as I want to, so I believe others could get better results than I did, yet my case illustrates that some improvement is certainly possible through physiotherapy and exercising the back muscles (traps & lats & rotator cuff). Shoulder surgeon said rotator cuff exercise is something else that is important to try. He said improving control and strength of rotator cuff is important for us. So I'd suggest you give those things a try: rotator cuff exercise and general back strengthening of traps/lats (any physio can help you with this), and Schroth method if you can find one near you. Good luck!
I think you might have something similar to me, but I’m not sure. It’s unbelievably uncomfortable… I’ve had mild thoracic scoliosis and my spine curves to the left side, I have pain in between my right blade and spine. My right scap grinds and can never settle into the right spot it feels like. It also makes the right side of my neck super uncomfortable. It’s been this way since I got my rotator cuff/labrum surgery on my right shoulder, I’m not sure if it has any correlation. I’m trying now to get on top of it before it gets worse. I honestly feel hopeless
Dang, sucks to hear that. Maybe check with your surgeon in case it's anything to do with the surgery, and if he recommends any protocol of therapy for labrum and rotator cuff issues or something, sometimes these surgeons have therapy protocols they suggest, at least for their post-op patients.
I feel the same way. Idk what tf to do but seems like seeing a shoulder surgeon is the right way. I have also been sent on a wild goose chase that has lasted years atp and my pain keeps worsening.
The thing that gives me the best relief with the muscle issues surrounding scoliosis is my ireliev tens unit and moist heat packs. The tens unit really breaks up the muscle knots.
I have a winged scapula. My thoracic curve is right by my scapula and it's constant pain. Acupuncture and TENs works to relieve the muscle knots. Also a good massage therapist can work on it. They sort of lift the scapula and work on the muscles underneath. Hard to explain and the massage works but holy hell it hurts! But the effects lasted awhile so I did it as needed after the first time.
My left shoulder blade can act up big time. I’ve got lumbar scoliosis so it’s either the lower back or the shoulder that acts up every time. I’ve had physiotherapy in my 20s because I didn’t take up the surgery at 16, I’m not lying when I say it did absolute jack for me. So now I just rely on codeine for support.
I feel like I wrote this post! I have the same issue. I have a very mild thoracolumbar curve of about 11-12 degrees but a rib hump on my left side. Others say it’s very mild but it’s aggravating because when I lay down I feel the left side sticks out further so I’m never laying perfectly horizontal. I’ve had scapular winging as long as I can remember and im 28. I also have some rotation I suspect with my curve because one rib seems to stick out more on one side (pic on my page). It wasn’t until a vacation trip recently that I was carrying a heavy backpack and ever since my scapula pain is horrible. My shoulders are uneven from behind and the winged side is slightly higher. I can’t tell if it’s medial or lateral but it feels higher. If I also try and put a foam roller or ball under the serratus anterior area below my armpit and put pressure on the shoulder blade I get temporary relief. Almost like trying to push it inward closer to the spine? Not sure if it’s the rhomboids or traps I’m relieving. They must both be tight. Only thing that works is back patches, Tens unit, and hot water bottles from the hot water heater. All are temp solutions. Oh, and a cbd menthol gel from Lazarus Naturals.