A positive scapular assistance test is equally present in various shoulder disorders but more commonly found among patients with scapular dyskinesis.

OBJECTIVE

Assess the frequency of a positive scapular assistance test (SAT) in different shoulder disorders and establish its association with scapular dyskinesis.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional.

SETTING

Shoulder clinic.

PARTICIPANTS

Seventy-four patients.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The SAT and visual assessment of scapular movement were performed by a physical therapist. An orthopaedic surgeon classified participants into 4 diagnostic categories: rotator cuff disease, superior labrum anterior posterior lesion (SLAP), shoulder instability, and other.

RESULTS

Twenty-seven (36.5%) participants presented with a positive SAT. The SAT was positive among 9 of 28 participants (32.1%) with rotator cuff disease, 7 of 23 participants (30.4%) with SLAP lesions, 9 of 21 participants (42.9%) with shoulder instability, and 2 of 2 participants (100.0%) with other pathologies. The frequency of a positive SAT did not differ between the various diagnostic categories (P = 0.64). The SAT was more frequently positive among participants with scapular dyskinesis (48.5% versus 26.8%, P = 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The SAT is found similarly positive among patients with various common shoulder disorders. Although associated with scapular dyskinesis, the SAT was positive in less than half of those demonstrating scapular dyskinesis suggesting the SAT may help identify patients in whom altered scapular movement is contributing to shoulder pain.