Reaching higher: External scapula assistance can improve upper limb function in humans with irreversible scapula alata.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Scapular dyskinesis, i.e., the deviant mobility or function of the scapula, hampers upper limb function in daily life. A typical sign of scapular dyskinesis is a scapula alata-a protrusion of the shoulder blade during arm elevation. While some reversible causes of scapula alata can be treated with therapy, other, irreversible causes require invasive surgical interventions. When surgery is not an option, however, severe limitations arise as standard approaches for assisting the scapula in daily life do not exist. The aim of this study was to quantify functional improvements when external, i.e., non-invasive, scapula assistance is provided.

Methods

The study was designed as a randomized controlled crossover trial. Eight participants with a scapula alata due to muscu

SUBMITTER: Georgarakis AM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8414749 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature