Scapular Dyskinesis: Relevant or Not?





Time to challenge your beliefs again! Does Scapular Dyskinesis Matter? How do you assess it, do you even need to bother to correct it?
Thanks to @infophysiotherapy, Anthony Teoli MScPT for allowing MMT Premium access to one of his amazing webinars!

We recently did a Facebook Live presentation discussing whether or not scapular dyskinesis in and of itself is a relevant finding upon physical examination.⠀

This recently published article by Willmore & Smith does a great job at summarizing the current challenges to the evidence regarding scapula dyskinesis:⠀

1️⃣️ Scapular dyskinesis is defined as any deviation of "normal" scapular kinematics or a deviation in scapular position/motion. Therefore, in the absence of an identified normal, abnormal is an unknown entity.⠀

2️⃣️ There is tons of variability in human anatomy and movement from one individual to the next. What is perceived as "abnormal", may in fact be a normal adaptation strategy. ⠀

3️⃣Tests used to supposedly identified abnormalities cannot be claimed to do so given that they lack construct validity. In addition, scapular physical examination tests DO NOT have the ability to discriminate between those with and those without shoulder pain or a specific pathology.

4️⃣Measurements are unreliable and prone to measurement error and bias. If a measure is not reliable, it cannot be valid.


Anthony Teoli – Bio
Anthony Teoli graduated from McGill University with a Master’s of Science in Physical Therapy. He has gained experience working with oncology patients, patients with neurological conditions (multiple sclerosis, stroke and cerebral palsy) and patients with musculoskeletal injuries in both the hospital and private clinic settings. Anthony currently works as a physiotherapist at CBI Concordia Sport Physio, a private physiotherapy clinic located in Laval, Quebec. He is also the Founder & President of InfoPhysiotherapy, an online educational website dedicated to providing affordable, evidence-based continuing education lectures and courses for healthcare professionals worldwide.

Anthony has a keen interest for research and knowledge translation, having conducted two research studies examining the relationship between knee osteoarthritis and walking biomechanics. This research was presented at provincial, national and international conferences. His first peer-reviewed article was published in July 2016, along with two co-authors. Anthony is also currently pursuing his PhD in Rehabilitation Science at McGill University, with a focus on knee osteoarthritis, gait biomechanics and knowledge translation.

InfoPhysiotherapy website: https://infophysiotherapy.com/
Facebook Page (@infophysiotherapy): https://www.facebook.com/infophysiotherapy/
Instagram (@infophysiotherapy): https://www.instagram.com/infophysiotherapy/