Prevalence and grade of scapular dyskinesis in patients with shoulder injuries: a cross-sectional study

Background: Scapular dyskinesis (SD) is an impairment that can be associated with shoulder injuries; however, its prevalence and grade has not been thoroughly investigated. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the prevalence and grade of SD in patients with shoulder injury. Methods: In total, 210 patients with shoulder injury participated in this study between May and July 2023. Shoulder injuries were diagnosed, and SD was assessed in injured and noninjured shoulders. The shoulder injury duration was also assessed. Results: In total, 205 patients (97.6%) had SD with injured shoulders, and 115 patients (54.7%) had Grade 3. Among the noninjured shoulders, 69% (n = 145) had SD and 6.7% (n = 14) had Grade 3. Patients with a duration of shoulder symptom >6 years had an incidence of Grade 3 of 100%. Conclusion: The prevalence of SD was significantly high in injured shoulders compared with noninjured shoulders. Moreover, the grade of SD in injured shoulders was severe compared with that in noninjured shoulders. SD may increase dysfunction in injured shoulders; therefore, it is recommended to assess and treat SD in patients with shoulder injury.