Current views of scapular dyskinesis and its possible clinical relevance

Key Points

1. A qualitative examination to establish the presence or absence of a scapula contribution to shoulder dysfunction is currently the best option available to clinicians.

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BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE

The scapula is critical to effective upper limb function and loss of scapula function has implications for shoulder injury, symptoms, and upper limb function. While aspects of scapula assessment are becoming better understood (1), the clinical importance of the scapula’s influence on shoulder function remains unclear.

The aim of this study was to provide a framework for the assessment and treatment of scapula dyskinesis (SD) in the context of what is now known about its role in symptoms and pathology and how we assess and rehabilitate scapula dysfunction.

The scapula is critical to effective upper limb function and loss of scapula function has implications for shoulder injury, symptoms, and upper limb function.

A more proprioceptive ‘feedback’ approach to rehabilitation of the scapula may be more successful in re-establishing scapula control within the kinetic chain.

METHODS

The authors provided a clinical viewpoint on current views of scapula dyskinesis and provided a narrative review combined with expert opinion on its clinical relevance.

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