Retrospective Analysis of Scapula Posture Assessment in Patients with sub-acromial Impingement Syndrome in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Abstract

Background: Sub-acromial impingement syndrome is one of the commonest musculoskeletal disorders.
Abnormal posture and scapula dyskinesis are considered major risk factors for developing shoulder pain.
Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was carried out involving 68 participants. Scapula posture
assessed using acromion to plinth distance, distance from T4 to medial border, distance from T7 to inferior
angle and observation was analyzed.
Results: The affected side demonstrated a significantly greater acromion to plinth distance (affected side:
6.71±1.27 cm, non-affected side: 6.0±1.3 cm, p<0.0001), lesser distance from T4 to medial border (affected
side: 6.33±1.33 cm, non-affected side: 6.60±1.28 cm, p=0.0034) and lesser distance from T7 to inferior
angle (affected side: 6.8±1.98 cm, non-affected side: 7.37±2.03 cm, p<0.0001) as compared to the nonaffected
side. On observation, the superior angle on the affected side was elevated in 62.8% subjects and
medial border and inferior angle were closer to midline in 34.2% and 37.1% subjects, respectively.
Conclusion: Scapula posture is altered in the patients with SIS, not only on the symptomatic but also
asymptomatic side. Thus, assessing and correcting scapular alignment should be considered as an important
aspect in the rehabilitation of patients with sub-acromial impingement syndrome.