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Scapulothoracic Evaluation and Treatment in Tennis Players

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Tennis Medicine

Abstract

The scapula serves many roles in order for proper shoulder function to occur. It provides a stable base for muscle activation, a mobile platform for glenohumeral kinematics, a link between the core and the arm, and serves as a funnel to transmit forces to the distal upper extremity. Scapular movement is considered multi-planar and three-dimensional because as the arm elevates, the scapula undergoes a composite of motions [1, 2]. Rotary motions include upward/downward rotation around an axis perpendicular to the scapular body, anterior/posterior tilting around a horizontal axis along the scapular spine, and internal/external rotation around a vertical axis along with medial border. In conjunction with these rotary motions, the scapula also translates in the presence of intact clavicular anatomy, specifically at sternoclavicular (SC) and acromioclavicular (AC) joint. Scapula superior/inferior translation on the thorax wall is due to clavicular elevation/depression at the SC joint, while anterior/posterior translation corresponds to clavicular protraction/retraction at the SC joint.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Health & Human Performance, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX, USA

    Natalie L. Myers

  2. Shoulder Center of Kentucky, Lexington Clinic Orthopedics, Lexington, KY, USA

    W. Ben Kibler

Authors
  1. Natalie L. Myers
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  2. W. Ben Kibler
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Correspondence to Natalie L. Myers .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Dept of Orthopaedics and Trauma, Concordia Hospital, Rome, Italy

    Giovanni Di Giacomo

  2. ATP World Tour, Rehab Plus Sports Therapy Scottsdale, Scottsdale, AZ, USA

    Todd S. Ellenbecker

  3. Lexington Clinic Orthopedics, Lexington, KY, USA

    W. Ben Kibler

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Myers, N.L., Kibler, W.B. (2018). Scapulothoracic Evaluation and Treatment in Tennis Players. In: Di Giacomo, G., Ellenbecker, T., Kibler, W. (eds) Tennis Medicine. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-71498-1_15

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-71498-1_15

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