The prevalence of scapular dyskinesia in patients with back, neck, and shoulder pain and the effect of this combination on pain and muscle shortness

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence of scapular dyskinesia in patients with neck, back, and shoulder pain and examine the variations in clinical parameters cause by this combination. Methods: A total of 121 patients with neck, back, or shoulder pain were included in this prospective cross-sectional study. Demographic and clinical data of the patients were recorded. It was evaluated the intensity of pain with the visual analog scale (VAS), the presence of muscle shortness with muscle shortness tests, and scapular dyskinesia with the Lateral Scapular Slide Test. Results: The prevalence of scapular dyskinesia was 41.9% in the study population. Patients were divided into groups, with or without scapular dyskinesia for evaluation, and compared. The presence of scapular dyskinesia was significantly higher in patients with back and shoulder pain (p<0.05). When the distribution of scapular dyskinesia pathological types was evaluated, it was found that Type 1 was the most common in the study population. No significant difference was observed in pain intensity at rest and during activity between the groups (p>0.05), but the VAS score at night was significantly higher in patients with scapular dyskinesia (p<0.05). The pectoral, latissimus dorsi, and rhomboids muscle shortness were significantly higher in the group with scapular dyskinesia (p<0.05). Conclusion: The evaluation of the presence of scapular dyskinesia in a physical examination in patients with neck, back, and/ or shoulder pain will be a guide for the diagnosis and treatment of pain-related problems.