Clinical Update

The scapulothoracic interface is made up of the anterior surface of the scapula and the posterior aspect of the thoracic cage. This space is occupied primarily by myofascial components. Upper extremity motion requires the movement of the scapula on the thoracic cage. To decrease friction between these two structures, the interface is lubricated by a serious fluid. Adhesions formation due to any number of reasons will result in loss of motion of the scapula on the respective thoracic cage. Such loss of motion predisposes to complete adhesive myofascitis, an exquisitely painful pathology. It is this phenomenon, the adhesive myofascitis that is referred to as scapulocostal syndrome. Scapulocostal syndrome is an often encountered, yet infrequently diagnosed cause of back and/or shoulder pain.