The Kinetic Link: Disorders of the Scapula and Their Role in Shoulder Injury
The scapula (shoulder blade) is the foundational anchor for the entire upper extremity. It is suspended almost entirely by muscle, forming a highly complex, dynamic articulation with the thorax. If the scapula fails to rotate and tilt perfectly during arm elevation (scapular dyskinesis), the rotator cuff is violently impinged against the acromion. Disorders of the Scapula and Their Role in Shoulder Injury: A Clinical Guide to Evaluation and Management is a fiercely specialized, biomechanically rigorous manual dedicated to this critical, often-ignored structure. This volume provides the exact blueprints required to restore the kinetic chain of the shoulder.
Mastering Scapular Dyskinesis
The core philosophy of this text is that the scapula is the victim, not the culprit. The authors aggressively detail the pathoanatomy of the SICK scapula syndrome (Scapular malposition, Inferior medial border prominence, Coracoid pain, and dysKinesis). It dictates exactly how to evaluate the periscapular musculature (serratus anterior, trapezius) to identify the specific neuromuscular deficits driving the abnormal movement pattern.
Navigating Rehabilitation and Surgery
The book provides a masterclass in targeted intervention. It dictates the exact clinical pathways for conservative management, providing rigorous, phased physical therapy protocols designed to restore scapular control before addressing the rotator cuff. It exhaustively details the rare surgical indications for conditions like snapping scapula syndrome (scapulothoracic bursitis) and the complex tendon transfers required for a winged scapula (e.g., Eden-Lange procedure).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Does this book cover the glenohumeral joint?
Only in how it is affected by the scapula. The absolute focus is on the scapulothoracic articulation and the periscapular muscles.
Who is the primary audience?
It is the absolute, mandatory clinical atlas for Physical Therapists, Athletic Trainers, and Orthopedic Sports Medicine Surgeons.
