Scapulothoracic Depression is one of several movements available to the Scapulothoracic Joint that involves inferior gliding of the Scapula with a compliment of Sternoclavicular Joint and Acromioclavicular Joint rotations. In layman’s terms this movement describes the lowering or forced downwards drive of the Scapula relative to the Thorax .
Prime Movers
Accessory
Ventral Arm Chain - painful
Lateral Arm Chain - restricted
Dorsal Arm Chain - painful
Deep Front Arm Line - painful
Superficial Back Line - painful or restricted
Spiral Line - painful
Depression at the Scapulothoracic Joint occurs as the Scapula glides inferiorly, guided by the fixed path of the Clavicle at the Sternoclavicular Joints articular disc due to the inferior roll of the Clavicle . In order to maintain joint congruency, the Medial Clavicle slides superiorly on the Sternoclavicular Joints articular disc (SOURCE-1+4). Simultaneously, Anterior Rotation/ Scapular Tilting at the Acromioclavicular Joint allows the Scapula to maintain a near vertical posture throughout the arch of motion (SOURCE-4). Typically Depression of the Scapula may be sufficiently achieved through the relaxing of the Upper Trapezius and the force of gravity, however active or forced Depression requires muscular contribution (SOURCE-1). These Muscles include Pectoralis Minor , Latissimus Dorsi , the lowest digitations of the Serratus Anterior , Pectoralis Major , Subclavius and the lower Trapezius (SOURCE-1+3+4). When the arm is fixed and cannot be depressed, these Muscles can raise the entire Thorax relative to The Shoulder Girdle (SOURCE-4).Scapulothoracic Depression is limited by the Upper Trapezius , Sternoclavicular Ligaments and the Sternoclavicular Joint articular disc (SOURCE-1).
Hypertonicity of Scapula Elevators such as the Upper Trapezius or Levator Scapulae may impede the ability to fully depress the Scapula . Restriction through depression is often compensated for with Thoracic - Extension or overactivity of the Middle Trapezius (SOURCE-2). Conversely, hypertonicity of larger depressors such as the Pectoralis Major (directly) or Latissimus Dorsi (indirectly) or restriction of the Posterior Glenohumeral Joint Capsule may result in an exacerbated depressive posture of the Scapula (SOURCE-3). Increased depression may also suggest weakness in the Upper Trapezius which is often attributed to a neurogenic cause (SOURCE-5). Additionally, this exacerbated posture in the form of trauma or repetitive strain can irritate the Long Thoracic Nerve (SOURCE-6+7).
Hypertonicity of the Pectoralis Minor , a major depressor of the Scapulothoracic Joint , restricts Posterior Scapular Tilting which reduces the subacromial space and forms an avenue for Subacromial Impingement (SOURCE-8+9)
Scapular Dyskinesis - hypertonicity of Scapulothoracic Joint - Elevation muscles may restrict depression, while hypertonicity of the depressors or weakness of the elevators may exacerbate restriction. One such depressor that has well established relations to Dyskinesis is the Pectoralis Minor . Restriction of this muscle may limit necessary Posterior Scapular Tilting and External Rotation, with one study finding the extent of restriction was proportional to the presence of Dyskinesis (SOURCE-9+11). Additionally, the Serratus Anterior often displays reduced or altered activity in Dyskinesis (SOURCE-12).
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome - depression through both hypertonicity of the Pectoralis Minor or insufficiency from the Upper Trapezius may impede on the outlet and compress the neurovascular structures (predominately the Brachial Plexus ) it contains (SOURCE-10)
Nerve Palsy - injury to the nerves that innervate the Scapulothoracic Depression muscles may incapacitate their ability to produce movement. While injury to the Medial Pectoral Nerve is rare, it may result from trauma (usually direct blow or excessive stretch) or entrapment caused by a hypertonic or hypertrophic Pectoralis Minor (SOURCE-13+14). This may lead to weakness, chronic Pain and atrophy of the Pectoralis Major and/or Pectoralis Minor (SOURCE-14). In a similar fashion, injury to the Thoracodorsal Nerve compromises motor function of the Latissimus Dorsi which may lead to atrophy and limits its indirect depressive role (SOURCE-16). The Thoracodorsal Nerve is often utilised as a site of harvesting for reconstructive procedures or injured as a complication of surgery (SOURCE-15+16).
Cranial Nerve XI Neuropathy - excessive nerve traction through shoulder depression and contralateral Cervical - Rotation is a common mechanism of injury for the spinal accessory nerve (SOURCE-3).
Muscle Atrophy - may implicate neurovasculature (SOURCE-13+14+16):
Latissimus Dorsi - suggests Thoracodorsal Nerve palsy
Pectoralis Major or Pectoralis Minor - suggests Medial Pectoral Nerve palsy
Excessive Depression - suggests Scapular Dyskinesis through diverging mechanisms:
Hypertonicity in Pectoralis Minor or Latissimus Dorsi
Upper Trapezius Dysfunction - often of neurogenic cause
Depression of the Scapula is rarely assessed in isolation and more often evaluated as part of composite motion of The Shoulder Girdle or determined by the resting position of the Scapula . With that said, roughly 5-10º of active Depression should be available to the Scapulothoracic Joint (SOURCE-17). Placing the patient in prone diminishes the effect of gravity while assessing depression with the arm in 130º GH Joint - Abduction helps eliminate compensatory movement (SOURCE-2). Isometric Tests of the Scapula depressors should also be conducted.
The following Shoulder - Special Tests may be relevant in the assessment of dysfunctional Scapulothoracic Joint Depression: Scapular Dyskinesis
The following tests may be conducted to rule in/out nerve contribution with C5 , C6 , C7 , C8 and T1 Nerve Roots mst relevant to Scapulothoracic Joint Depression: Cervical - Myotomes (active resisted)
Cervical - Dermatomes - evaluates sensory region
C5 - skin over the lateral shoulder/ Deltoid towards base of Thumb
C6 - skin over lateral arm from shoulder to Thumb and index Fingers
C7 - skin over posterior arm from shoulder to middle Fingers
T1 - skin over the medial forearm from The Elbow to The Hand
Reflex - diminished reflex indicates potential lesion at corresponding Nerve Root
Upper Limb Nerve Tension Tests
The treatment of Scapulothoracic Joint Depression dysfunction should be specific to the underlying cause. For rehabilitation of common underlying conditions such as Scapular Dyskinesis , Subacromial Impingement or a hypertonic Pectoralis Minor , see their respective pages.
The following Stretching techniques may directly or indirectly improve Scapulothoracic Joint Depression restriction:
Door Frame Neck Stretch - self-guided neck stretch with several variations
Seated Thoracic Rotation with Breathing - large lateral flexion and rotation range coupled with breathing
Door Frame Shoulder Stretch - self-guided anterior shoulder stretch with large Horizontal GH Joint - Abduction range
Wheel Pose - full bridge variation that lengthens entire anterior chain
Bretzel 1.0 - wholebody technical stretch that incorporates anterior shoulder
Bretzel 2.0 - variation with greater hip extension range
Dead Hangs - whole body traction for Pull and Push muscles with large overhead range
As a specific training protocol relates to the underlying cause of Scapulothoracic Joint Depression dysfunction, the following lists depression-based Strength exercises in rough descending order from most rudimentary:
Banded Unilateral Lat Activations - activate lat, posteroinferior drawer on Humerus
Lat Pulldown - rudimentary weighted isotonic vertical pull movement with a high range of motion
Press-Up - aka L-Sit
Straight Arm Lat Pulldown - isotonic motion that emphasises Lats and straight arm strength
Pull-Up - bodyweight or greater load through large overhead motion
Dips - bodyweight isotonic push exercise with large GH Joint - Extension range
Rope Climb - pull-up variation with entire load bestowed on alternating arm
The following Mobilisation techniques may be relevant in the treatment of Scapulothoracic Joint Depression: Joint Play
Scapulothoracic Depression Glide - for restriction
Scapulothoracic Elevation Glide - for excessive depression posture
Sternoclavicular Superior Glide - for restriction
Acromioclavicular Superior Glide - for restriction
Posterior Glide on Humerus - restricted depressors may lead to anterior translation of the Humerus
Cervical Spine - for instances of Radiculopathy a PACVP , PAUVP or TVP may be applied to relevant Cervical segment(s) in addition to the following techniques:
Mobilisation with Movement - mobilisations applied with active movement
Shoulder - MWM 1 - applied to the Clavicle and Scapula
Sleeper Stretch MWM - self-guided Posterior Capsule release
Cervical Spine - for suspected Radiculopathy , the following techniques may be indicated:
SMWAM - Cervical mobilisations with arm movement
Neurodynamic SMWAM - Cervical mobilisations with neurodynamic arm movement
Cervical SNAGS - Cervical mobilisations with neck movement
NAGS - particularly useful for restriction or Pain associated with movement for C2-C7
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