A surgical procedure has been devised to prevent scapular winging and to
increase shoulder abduction in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy. The
operation improves the limited shoulder abduction and scapular winging
caused by the loss of scapular fixation to the thoracic cage, while
passive abduction at the glenohumeral joint remains normal. Preventing
scapular malrotation by eliminating scapulothoracic motion increases
shoulder abduction. This is achieved by fastening the scapula to several
underlying ribs with fascia. The operation has resulted in a 37 per cent
increase in abduction, increased shoulder strength and endurance, and the
prevention of scapular winging.