Rehabilitation of Scapular Dyskinesis

Scapular dyskinesis presenting in patients with shoulder pain may have multiple causes related to shoulder impairments or may simply be an incidental finding. The physical examination should assess the impairments related to scapular dyskinesis in order to develop an appropriate rehabilitation program. The key impairments to examine are soft tissue tightness or laxity, muscular deficits of weakness or control, scapular position or movement faults, and the kinetic chain. This chapter will describe treatment and exercise protocols for flexibility deficits and muscular deficits related to the scapula. Attention is also given to the rehabilitation of scapular dyskinesis in the overhead athlete. The selection of key impairments, rehabilitation guidelines for selection, and progression were based on evidence and clinical experience of the authors. The outcomes and effectiveness of scapula-focused rehabilitation programs are presented.