The Role of the Scapula

Overview

Journal Int J Sports Phys Ther

Specialty Rehabilitation Medicine

Date 2013 Nov 1

PMID 24175141

Citations 32

Authors

Russ Paine

Michael L Voight

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Unlabelled: Previously, the scapular musculature was often neglected in designing a rehabilitation protocol for the shoulder. In the past two decades a significant amount of research has been performed in order to help identify the role of the scapula in upper extremity function. Weakness of the scapular stabilizers and resultant altered biomechanics could result in: 1) abnormal stresses to the anterior capsular structures of the shoulder, 2) increased possibility of rotator cuff compression, and 3) decreased shoulder complex neuromuscular performance. This clinical commentary presents facts about the anatomy and biomechanics of the scapula and surrounding musculature, and describes the pathomechanics of scapular dysfunction. The focus is upon the assessment of dysfunction and retraining of the scapular musculature.

Level Of Evidence: 5.

Citing Articles

"Trapdoor" Medial Scapula Osteotomy for Resection of a Benign Subscapular Neoplasm: A Case Report.

Boubekri A, Lawler P, Chen A, Li D, Prabhu V, Garbis N JBJS Case Connect. 2025; 15(1).

PMID: 39946504 PMC: 11822220. DOI: 10.2106/JBJS.CC.24.00338.

Correlation of scapular Dyskinesia and hand grip strength in students with smartphone addiction pursuing a bachelor's degree in healthcare profession education.

Shetty M, Sathyadas S, Sabu Thomas A, Jayan Veenedathu L, Vichare R, Thakkar P Shoulder Elbow. 2025; 17585732241309088.

PMID: 39790906 PMC: 11707764. DOI: 10.1177/17585732241309088.

Percutaneous Cannulation of the Axillary Artery: Does the Position of the Brachial Plexus Correlate With Bony Landmarks That Could Be Used to Reduce the Risk of Complications?.

Jadhav S, Stephen A Cureus. 2024; 16(8):e67926.

PMID: 39328618 PMC: 11426924. DOI: 10.7759/cureus.67926.

A comprehensive review of scapulothoracic abnormal motion (STAM): evaluation, classification, and treatment strategies.

Gedik C, Eren I, Demirhan M, Elhassan B Acta Orthop Traumatol Turc. 2024; 58(4):187-195.

PMID: 39319823 PMC: 11448755. DOI: 10.5152/j.aott.2024.24066.

The impact of scapular posture and sagittal spine alignment on motion and functional outcomes following reverse total shoulder arthroplasty: a scoping review.

Sun B, Grad J, Liu W, Nam D, Sheth U JSES Int. 2024; 8(4):859-865.

PMID: 39035651 PMC: 11258846. DOI: 10.1016/j.jseint.2024.02.009.

References

Jobe F, Pink M . Classification and treatment of shoulder dysfunction in the overhead athlete. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 1993; 18(2):427-32. DOI: 10.2519/jospt.1993.18.2.427. View

Borich M, Bright J, Lorello D, Cieminski C, Buisman T, Ludewig P . Scapular angular positioning at end range internal rotation in cases of glenohumeral internal rotation deficit. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2006; 36(12):926-34. DOI: 10.2519/jospt.2006.2241. View

Carpenter J, Blasier R, Pellizzon G . The effects of muscle fatigue on shoulder joint position sense. Am J Sports Med. 1998; 26(2):262-5. DOI: 10.1177/03635465980260021701. View

Peat M . Functional anatomy of the shoulder complex. Phys Ther. 1986; 66(12):1855-65. DOI: 10.1093/ptj/66.12.1855. View

Ludewig P, Reynolds J . The association of scapular kinematics and glenohumeral joint pathologies. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2009; 39(2):90-104. PMC: 2730194. DOI: 10.2519/jospt.2009.2808. View

Voight M, Hardin J, Blackburn T, Tippett S, Canner G . The effects of muscle fatigue on and the relationship of arm dominance to shoulder proprioception. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 1996; 23(6):348-52. DOI: 10.2519/jospt.1996.23.6.348. View

Bigliani L, Codd T, Connor P, Levine W, Littlefield M, Hershon S . Shoulder motion and laxity in the professional baseball player. Am J Sports Med. 1997; 25(5):609-13. DOI: 10.1177/036354659702500504. View

DiVeta J, Walker M, Skibinski B . Relationship between performance of selected scapular muscles and scapular abduction in standing subjects. Phys Ther. 1990; 70(8):470-6; discussion 476-9. DOI: 10.1093/ptj/70.8.470. View

McClure P, Tate A, Kareha S, Irwin D, Zlupko E . A clinical method for identifying scapular dyskinesis, part 1: reliability. J Athl Train. 2009; 44(2):160-4. PMC: 2657031. DOI: 10.4085/1062-6050-44.2.160. View

10.

Koslow P, Prosser L, Strony G, Suchecki S, Mattingly G . Specificity of the lateral scapular slide test in asymptomatic competitive athletes. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2003; 33(6):331-6. DOI: 10.2519/jospt.2003.33.6.331. View

11.

Moseley Jr J, Jobe F, Pink M, Perry J, Tibone J . EMG analysis of the scapular muscles during a shoulder rehabilitation program. Am J Sports Med. 1992; 20(2):128-34. DOI: 10.1177/036354659202000206. View

12.

Kuhn , Plancher , Hawkins . Scapular Winging. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 1995; 3(6):319-325. DOI: 10.5435/00124635-199511000-00002. View

13.

Lukasiewicz A, McClure P, Michener L, Pratt N, Sennett B . Comparison of 3-dimensional scapular position and orientation between subjects with and without shoulder impingement. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 1999; 29(10):574-83; discussion 584-6. DOI: 10.2519/jospt.1999.29.10.574. View

14.

Laudner K, Moline M, Meister K . The relationship between forward scapular posture and posterior shoulder tightness among baseball players. Am J Sports Med. 2010; 38(10):2106-12. DOI: 10.1177/0363546510370291. View

15.

Voight M, Thomson B . The role of the scapula in the rehabilitation of shoulder injuries. J Athl Train. 2006; 35(3):364-72. PMC: 1323398. View

16.

Hintermeister R, Lange G, Schultheis J, Bey M, Hawkins R . Electromyographic activity and applied load during shoulder rehabilitation exercises using elastic resistance. Am J Sports Med. 1998; 26(2):210-20. DOI: 10.1177/03635465980260021001. View

17.

Teece R, Lunden J, Lloyd A, Kaiser A, Cieminski C, Ludewig P . Three-dimensional acromioclavicular joint motions during elevation of the arm. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2008; 38(4):181-90. PMC: 2759875. DOI: 10.2519/jospt.2008.2386. View

18.

Laudner K, Stanek J, Meister K . Differences in scapular upward rotation between baseball pitchers and position players. Am J Sports Med. 2007; 35(12):2091-5. DOI: 10.1177/0363546507305098. View

19.

Myrer J, Schulthies S, Fellingham G . Relative and absolute reliability of the KT-2000 arthrometer for uninjured knees. Testing at 67, 89, 134, and 178 N and manual maximum forces. Am J Sports Med. 1996; 24(1):104-8. DOI: 10.1177/036354659602400119. View

20.

Borstad J, Ludewig P . Comparison of scapular kinematics between elevation and lowering of the arm in the scapular plane. Clin Biomech (Bristol). 2002; 17(9-10):650-9. DOI: 10.1016/s0268-0033(02)00136-5. View