What does scapular winging during a wall push up test indicate?

What does scapular winging during a wall push up test indicate?

• A. Deltoid weakness
• B. Serratus anterior weakness
• C. Pectoralis minor tightness
• D. Trapezius weakness

Answer: (B)

Serratus anterior weakness is what causes scapular winging during a wall push-up test. This muscle sits on the outside of the rib cage and anchors the medial edge of the scapula to the thorax while you push, protracting the shoulder and stabilizing the scapula against movement. When serratus anterior is weak (often from long thoracic nerve injury), the scapula cannot stay flat against the ribcage, so the medial border lifts away and the scapula “wings.” The other options don’t fit this specific pattern: deltoid weakness would mainly affect lifting the arm, not stabilizing the scapula; pectoralis minor tightness tends to tilt the scapula forward and downward rather than cause the classic winging; trapezius weakness alters stability and rotation differently and doesn’t produce the characteristic medial border protrusion.

Serratus anterior weakness is what causes scapular winging during a wall push-up test. This muscle sits on the outside of the rib cage and anchors the medial edge of the scapula to the thorax while you push, protracting the shoulder and stabilizing the scapula against movement. When serratus anterior is weak (often from long thoracic nerve injury), the scapula cannot stay flat against the ribcage, so the medial border lifts away and the scapula “wings.” The other options don’t fit this specific pattern: deltoid weakness would mainly affect lifting the arm, not stabilizing the scapula; pectoralis minor tightness tends to tilt the scapula forward and downward rather than cause the classic winging; trapezius weakness alters stability and rotation differently and doesn’t produce the characteristic medial border protrusion.