Scapular Dyskinesis: Related Pathology

Abstract

Shoulder pain is one of the most frequent causes of disability in overhead sports and often forces athletes and workers to stop their activities. Scapular dyskinesis is not an injury or a musculoskeletal diagnosis, but rather an alteration of the normal position or motion of the scapula during coupled scapulohumeral movements. The underlying pathology can be multifactorial in nature, and understanding the various contributing factors is important in order to properly diagnose and treat the patient. An additional goal should be the prevention of further pathology or symptoms. In the present article the concept of scapular dyskinesis is reviewed along with a review of the literature regarding related pathology and our observations. Scapular dyskinesis can exist in asymptomatic individuals. In symptomatic patients with shoulder pain the scapular rhythm should be evaluated and treated. Some of the associated pathologies could be subacromial impingement, internal impingement, chronic acromioclavicular dislocations grade III, chronic neck pain. Physical therapy is usually the preferred treatment of choice and effective to treat these patients.