Surgical Treatment of Sprengel’s Deformity of the Scapula

K e y w o r d s Sprengel’s deformity, Congenital elevation of the scapula, Surgery, Grading system INTRODUCTION Congenital elevation of the scapula, i.e., scapula alta is characterised by a various degree of scapular dysplasia, smaller size of the affected scapula as compared to the healthy side, rotation of the distal angle medially and active elevation of the arm is more or less reduced . The cranial angle of the scapula is usually curved forwards above, sometimes even over, the thoracic aperture (1,2,3). In a typical unilateral deformity, different levels of the shoulder joints are conspicuous. In mild cases, mobility in the shoulder girdle may not be limited at all; however, in more severe cases, elevation in the shoulder joint above the horizontal is restricted to a varying degree. This limited elevation in the shoulder joint is caused by scapular movement being restricted due to the presence of an omo-vertebral bone or a cartilaginous structure between the cranial angle of the scapula and the spinous processes of vertebrae in the lower cervical spine. The medial border of the scapula is abutting against the spinous processes of adjacent vertebrae at both elevation and abduction.