Scapular winging: an unusual complication of bracing in idiopathic scoliosis.

We describe a 15-year-old girl who had winging of the right scapula develop after incorrect use of a thoracolumbar orthosis. The girl was treated for idiopathic scoliosis, but after 2 years of bracing, progressive scapular winging and diminished range of motion in the right shoulder was observed. The girl reported that the superior part of the brace frequently hooked under the tip of the right scapula. This resulted in complete neuropathy of the dorsal scapular nerve. When using a thoracolumbar orthosis in the treatment of children with scoliosis, physicians must consider potential compressive injuries to the dorsal scapular nerve.