Abstract
BACKGROUND: To date, there are no published outcomes-based treatment programs to guide clinicians when managing patients with scapula alata. The purposes of this study were to describe a physical therapy program in patients with scapula alata and to evaluate its effect using a shoulder-specific quality-of-life measurement.
METHODS: In this case series and retrospective study, 22 patients (11 female patients) with a median age of 34 years (interquartile range, 28-44 years), diagnosed with scapula alata caused by injury to the long thoracic nerve, were successively referred as outpatients to a physical therapy program at a university hospital. The program included (1) physical examination, (2) thoracic brace treatment, and (3) muscular rehabilitation. The treatment frequency and duration were determined individually. The effect was evaluated by a shoulder-specific quality-of-life questionnaire, the Western Ontario Rotator Cuff (WORC) Index. The WORC Index is grouped into 5 domains: physical symptoms, sport/leisure time, work, lifestyle, and emotional health.
RESULTS: The results showed a highly significant improvement (P < .001) from pretest to post-test as measured by all 5 domains in the WORC Index.
CONCLUSIONS: This study described in detail a physical therapy program; the program showed significant benefit. Further research is needed before recommending the program as a potential treatment option.
Originalsprog | Engelsk |
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Tidsskrift | Journal of shoulder and elbow surgery / American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons ... [et al.] |
Vol/bind | 24 |
Sider (fra-til) | 482-490 |
Antal sider | 9 |
DOI | |
Status | Udgivet - mar. 2015 |