What is scapular dyskinesis?

What is scapular dyskinesis?

• A. Abnormal position or movement of the scapula at rest or during shoulder movement, increasing risk of instability and injuries.
• B. Inflammation of the rotator cuff tendons.
• C. A degenerative condition of the acromioclavicular joint.
• D. A nerve entrapment neuropathy of the brachial plexus.

Answer: (A)

Scapular dyskinesis is an abnormal position or motion of the shoulder blade (scapula) at rest or during shoulder movement. This abnormal movement disrupts the scapulothoracic rhythm that normally sets up the glenohumeral joint for smooth, stable movement. When the scapula doesn’t rotate, tilt, or position correctly—often from imbalances or fatigue in the periscapular muscles like the serratus anterior and lower trapezius—the subacromial space can become narrowed and the rotator cuff tendons or other shoulder structures are stressed. That increased stress raises the risk of instability and injuries such as impingement or rotator cuff pathology. The other options describe conditions that are not about how the scapula moves. Inflammation of the rotator cuff tendons is a tendon problem, not a movement pattern of the scapula. Degenerative changes of the acromioclavicular joint are a joint- or tissue- degeneration issue, not a faulty scapular motion. Nerve entrapment of the brachial plexus is a neurological problem affecting sensation or motor signals, not a scapular movement pattern. Scapular dyskinesis sits at the level of movement control and muscle balance around the shoulder.

Scapular dyskinesis is an abnormal position or motion of the shoulder blade (scapula) at rest or during shoulder movement. This abnormal movement disrupts the scapulothoracic rhythm that normally sets up the glenohumeral joint for smooth, stable movement. When the scapula doesn’t rotate, tilt, or position correctly—often from imbalances or fatigue in the periscapular muscles like the serratus anterior and lower trapezius—the subacromial space can become narrowed and the rotator cuff tendons or other shoulder structures are stressed. That increased stress raises the risk of instability and injuries such as impingement or rotator cuff pathology.

The other options describe conditions that are not about how the scapula moves. Inflammation of the rotator cuff tendons is a tendon problem, not a movement pattern of the scapula. Degenerative changes of the acromioclavicular joint are a joint- or tissue- degeneration issue, not a faulty scapular motion. Nerve entrapment of the brachial plexus is a neurological problem affecting sensation or motor signals, not a scapular movement pattern. Scapular dyskinesis sits at the level of movement control and muscle balance around the shoulder.