Effect of rotator cuff pathology on scapulohumeral rhythm in arm elevation.

Rotator cuff is a group of muscles and there tendons that act to stabilize glenohumeral  joint and allow for its extensive range of motion. Rotator cuff muscles comprises of supraspinatus ,infraspinatus, teres minor, subscapularis. Rotator cuff pathology includes rotator cuff muscle tear, rotator cuff tendinitis, rotator cuff tendinosis. Prevalence of rotator cuff pathology is 18% in manual labours and is also prevalent in young sport person as well as those in middle and older age.

Optimal function of the shoulder during arm elevation is synchronous and coordinated movement of scapula and humerus. Specifically, the kinematic interaction between the scapula and the humerus was introduced in the 1930s and termed "scapulohumeral rhythm. In the literature Scapulohumeral rhythm is descibed like a ratio: humeral elevation: scapular upward rotation. The overall ratio of 2:1 during arm elevation is commonly used. As the shoulder complex mechanism include scapulothoracic motion and glenohumeral motion during arm elevation.Pathology of rotator cuff muscles will bring mobility deficit in glenohumeral range due to poor muscle performance & control and strength deficits. If the scapulothoracic  mechanism is altered then it should be included in the treatment plan while tackling rotator cuff pathology.Therefore assessment of scapulothoracic mechanism is essential to address glenohumeral pathology.

In this study scapulothoracic rhythm is assesd with two inclinometer which will measure glenohumeral elevation and scapular upward rotation. And scapulohumeral ratio will be calculates by taking ratio. This is a observational cross sectional type of study which requires 20 mins per participant. Data will be analysed using upaired T test.