About Courses Library Newsletter Contact

Multidisciplinary Shoulder & Elbow Society Library

Our comprehensive library has everything you need to help you better understand your patients' shoulder or elbow problems.

Scapulothoracic Motion

frozen shoulder range of motion scapulothoracic motion
Scapulothoracic Motion

Scapulothoracic Motion

The classic study by Inman et al. describes the overall glenohumeral-to-scapulothoracic motion ratio at 2:1.1 However, there is great variability from person to person, sex and speed.2,3,4 One study demonstrated a 4:1 glenohumeral-to-scapulothoracic motion ratio during the first 25 degrees of arm elevation and an almost equal 5:4 rotation ratio occurs during subsequent elevation. The average overall ratio is about 2:1.4 Another study found a 7:1 ratio of during the first 30 degrees of elevation and an approximately 1:1 ratio from 90 to 150 degrees of arm elevation.2 On top of those findings, arm resistance elicits scapulothoracic motion earlier than with passive motion alone. That’s a lot of motion that can be gained or lost without even touching the glenohumeral joint!

References

  1. Tauro JC. Stiffness and rotator cuff tears: incidence, arthroscopic findings, and treatment results. Arthroscopy. 2006 Jun;22(6):581-6. doi: 10.1016/j.arthro.2006.03.004. PMID: 16762694.
  2. Petchprapa CN, Beltran LS, Jazrawi LM, Kwon YW, Babb JS, Recht MP. The rotator interval: a review of anatomy, function, and normal and abnormal MRI appearance. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2010 Sep;195(3):567-76. doi: 10.2214/AJR.10.4406. PMID: 20729432.
  3. Petchprapa CN, Beltran LS, Jazrawi LM, Kwon YW, Babb JS, Recht MP. The rotator interval: a review of anatomy, function, and normal and abnormal MRI appearance. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2010;195(3):567-576. doi:10.2214/AJR.10.4406
  4. Kim DH, Bae KC, Choi JH, Na SS, Hwang I, Cho CH. Chronicity is associated with the glenohumeral synovitis in patients with a rotator cuff tear. J Orthop Res. 2021;39(10):2226-2233. doi:10.1002/jor.24941
  5. Alilet M, Behr J, Nueffer JP, Barbier-Brion B, Aubry S. Multi-modal imaging of the subscapularis muscle. Insights Imaging. 2016;7(6):779-791. doi:10.1007/s13244-016-0526-1

Categories

All Categories ac joint dislocations ac joint separations acromioclavicular joint adhesive capsulitis advice anatomy antuna and seebauer classification arthroscopic subacromial decompression bursa capsule case of the week case study cervical spine cervicogenic pain charcot classification classification systems clinical pearls codman conservative continous learning continuing education corticosteroid cortisone cross-body adduction test cubital tunnel syndrome deltoid drop-arm sign dunning-krugger effect elbow elbow arthritis elbow arthroscopy elbow contractures elbow ct scan elbow imaging elbow osteoarthritis elbow pain elbow radiographs elbow septic arthritis elbow stability elbow stiffness elbow surgery elbow x-rays empty can epidemiology external rotation resistance flexor pronator strain force couple frozen shoulder full can glenohumeral joint glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis glenohumeral ligament glenoid bone loss hawkins-kennedy hemiarthroplasty historical definitions impingement infographic injection injury instability joint journal of shoulder and elbow surgery labral tears labrum lift-off test ligaments management muscles myofascial pain neck pain neer's sign neuropathic arthropathy neuropathy nonoperative normal shoulder orthopaedic special test orthopaedic special tests orthopaedics osteoarthritis osteomyelitis pain relief painful arc pathomechanics patient guide physiotherapy quiz question quiz question of the week radiculopathy range of motion rehabilitation revision surgery rotator cuff rotator cuff related pain rotator cuff tendinopathy scapular tilt scapulothoracic motion screw axes glenohumeral joint shoulder shoulder & elbow specialists shoulder arthritis shoulder dislocation shoulder instability shoulder motion shoulder osteoarthritis shoulder pain shoulder stability slap spurling test stability stable shoulder subacromial impingement subacromial pain syndrome subacromial space surgery synovial membrane the rockwood classification the unstable shoulder throwing injuries total shoulder arthroplasty trauma traumatic anterior shoulder dislocation treatment tubs ulnar collateral ligament injury ulnar nerve upper trapezius
FREE GIFT: SHOULDER CARE ALGORITHM INFOGRAPHIC

Join Our Newsletter & Get a FREE Membership

By signing up you for our newsletter you will get a FREE membership to the Multidisciplinary Shoulder & Elbow Society and we will send you our Shoulder Care Algorithm Infographic which was created and is used by our shoulder & elbow fellowship trained orthopaedic surgeons. On top of that you will receive our weekly newsletter which includes articles, educational resource, surgeon clinical pearls, along with access to instructional courses and the annual meeting.

You're safe with me. I'll never spam you or sell your contact info.