The variations of scapular alignment between individuals with and without scapulocostal syndrome

Abstract

Scapulocostal syndrome (SCS) is a chronic pain condition indicating signs of muscle imbalance which may cause scapular alignment alterations. However, scapular alignment in SCS patients has not yet been investigated. This study aimed to explore the variations of scapular alignment between individuals with and without SCS. Thirty-nine individuals with SCS were matched with thirty-nine healthy individuals. Both groups were assessed for scapular alignment using the scapular position estimator program on selected outcomes. The results showed that SCS patients demonstrated significantly lower values in shoulder flexion on the right side of the body than the healthy group in lower horizontal distance at 30° (SCS; 90.73 millimeters; mm, healthy; 98.63 mm; p = 0.029), 60° (SCS; 101.44 mm, healthy; 110.12 mm; p = 0.005), 90° (SCS; 112.79 mm, healthy; 121.10 mm; p = 0.005), 120° (SCS; 117.45 mm, healthy; 124.85 mm; p = 0.006), 150° (SCS; 117.95 mm, healthy; 124.39 mm; p = 0.014), and 180° (SCS; 119.26 mm, healthy; 125.53 mm; p = 0.034). Moreover, SCS patients displayed significantly lower values in shoulder flexion on the right side than the healthy group in the upward rotation angle, superior translation angle, and external rotation angle (p < 0.05). In shoulder abduction, SCS patients demonstrated significantly lower values amid lower horizontal distance, superior translation angle, and external rotation angle on the right side than the healthy group (p < 0.05). These findings indicated that scapular alignment in individuals with and without SCS differed. Scapular positions of SCS patients tended to be scapular dyskinesis.