Kinematic changes of the scapulothoracic joint may influence the relative position of the glenoid fossa and, consequently, the glenohumeral joint. As the alignment of the scapula relative to the thorax differs between individuals, such variability may be another factor in the development of posterior head subluxation. The purpose of this study was to compare scapulothoracic alignment in pathologic type B shoulders with contralateral healthy shoulders.

Chest trauma management often requires the use of invasive and non-invasive ventilation. To date, only a few studies investigated the predictors of the need for ventilatory support. Data on 1080 patients with chest trauma managed in two different centers were retrospectively analyzed. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify the predictors of tracheal intubation (TI), non-invasive mechanical ventilation (NIMV), and mortality. Rib fractures (p = 0.0001) fracture of the scapula, clavicle, or sternum (p = 0.045), hemothorax (p = 0.0035) pulmonary contusion (p = 0.0241), and a high Injury Severity Score (ISS) (p ≤ 0001) emerged as independent predictors of the need of TI. Rib fractures (p = 0.0009) hemothorax (p = 0.0027), pulmonary contusion (p = 0.0160) and a high ISS (p = 0.0001) were independent predictors of NIMV. The center of trauma care (p = 0.0279), age (p < 0.0001) peripheral oxygen saturation in the emergency department (p = 0.0010), ISS (p < 0.0001), and Revised Trauma Score (RTS) (p < 0.0001) were independent predictors of outcome. In conclusion, patients who do not require TI, while mandating ventilatory support with selected types of injuries and severity scores, are more likely to be subjected to NIMV. Trauma team expertise and the level of the trauma center could influence patient outcomes.

Chronic neck pain is a common human health problem. Changes in scapular posture and alteration of muscle activation patterns of scapulothoracic muscles are cited as potential risk factors for neck pain. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of neck exercise training (NET) with and without scapular stabilization training (SST) on pain intensity, the scapula downward rotation index (SDRI), forward head angle (FHA) and neck range of motion (ROM) in patients with chronic neck pain and scapular dyskinesia. A total of sixty-six subjects with chronic neck pain and scapular dyskinesia were randomly divided into three groups: neck exercise training, n = 24, combined training (NET + SST), n = 24 and a control group, n = 24. Pain intensity, SDRI, FHA and ROM were measured by the numerical rating scale, caliper, photogrammetry and IMU sensor, respectively. When the combined intervention group consisting of NET and SST was compared with NET alone at six weeks, there was a statistically significant difference in pain intensity, SDRI, FHA and cervical ROM for flexion and extension (p ≤ 0.05). Adding scapular exercises to neck exercises had a more significant effect in decreasing pain intensity, SDRI, FHA and increased cervical ROM than neck exercises alone in patients with chronic neck pain. These findings indicate that focus on the scapular posture in the rehabilitation of chronic neck pain effectively improves the symptoms.