Examination of Scapular Dyskinesis in Individuals with Artroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair

Aim: The aim of this study is to examine the presence of scapular dyskinesia in individuals who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR).

Methods: This study was conducted in 2018 with approval from the Bolu Abant Izzet Baysal University Clinical Research Ethics Committee. This research comprised 31 individuals between the ages of 45 and 75 who had received acromioplasty and/or tenodesis with ARCR, completed the 12th week following surgery, and were able to perform active shoulder elevation movement of 90˚ or more. Individuals with any neurological or rheumatological disease, a history of upper extremity fractures, and other shoulder injuries or surgery were excluded. Demographic information and scapular dyskinesia data of individuals were recorded in the evaluation form. Scapular dyskinesia was evaluated by using the Scapular Dyskinesia Test (SDT) and Lateral Scapular Slide Test (LSST).

Results: This study consisted of 31 individuals (17 females and 14 males) with an average age of 59.29±7.78 years and a BMI of 30.51±3.48 kg/m². Participants had a mean of 24.8 ± 10.59 weeks in the postoperative period. The presence of scapular dyskinesia was found in all individuals in terms of SDT, while 26 individuals were detected in that of LSST. SD types were as follows; Type I, 16 participants; Type II, 8 participants; and Type III, 7 participants.

Conclusion: This study revealed the presence of scapular dyskinesia in long-term outcomes in participants with ARCR. Additionally, our study is one of the two studies in the literature specifically investigating scapular dyskinesia after ARCR. Although the results of our study clearly demonstrate the presence of scapular dyskinesia after ARCR, it is ambiguous whether scapular dyskinesia is a cause or a consequence of shoulder problems.