Long thoracic nerve/winged scapula research

Posted By Ray Haskell on April 14, 1997 at 22:23:55:









Greetings!!
I am trying to ascertain any research being done for people afflicted with problems as a result of long thoracic nerve damage and its resultant winged scapula condition.
My wife....and erstwhile racquetball partner..just had surgery on her shoulder to decompress the thoracic nerve (mumford procedure?) and also had carpal tunnel syndrome decompression. This situation was a result of a previous shoulder injury and work related repititious wrist movements. She's a dental assistant and her fine motor skills were suffering.
She is recuperating and is in physical therapy now. She is being told that there is no research , immediate or long term help for this condition.
We realize that physical therapy and weight training may be able to strengthen the muscles above and below, and she is trying to regain the movement she has lost. However, the shoulder does not seem like it's ever going to be as good as it was, and it still hurts her.
1. Is there any hope on the horizon??
2. Is there ANY institution/group that is looking into a     fix?
3.Since the nerve cannot regenerate itself, are there    any  DNA or neuron regeneration related research       activities going on?? I thank you for your help.