Objective: Our aim was to analyze whether shoulder pain is related to scapular upward rotation (SUR) or to the lengths of the pectoralis minor and levator scapulae muscles.

Methods: This cross-sectional, observational study was carried out in 3 primary-care centers; 54 individuals with chronic shoulder pain participated. Scapular upward rotation and the lengths of the pectoralis minor and levator scapulae muscles were assessed.

Results: The level of association was small between shoulder pain and function and (1) the lengths of the pectoralis minor (r = 0.08, P = .93) and levator scapulae (r = -0.01, P = .57) muscles and (2) SUR at 45° (r = 0.17, P = .21), 90° (r = 0.08, P = .57), and 135° (r = 0.10, P = 0.45) of shoulder elevation.

Conclusion: The relationship was small between shoulder pain and function and (1) SUR (45°, 90°, and 135° of shoulder elevation) and (2) the lengths of the pectoralis minor and levator scapulae muscles. Thus, the use of SUR and pectoralis minor and levator scapulae lengths in shoulder assessment should be undertaken with caution. Other factors such as psychological factors, central/peripheral sensitization, and intrinsic properties of the tissue have to be taken into account.

Author keywords: Shoulder Pain, Chronic Pain, Pectoralis Muscles

Author affiliations: SNL: Department of Physiotherapy, University of Granada, Melilla, Spain; MFS: Department of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Medicine, University of Almería, Almería, Spain; FS: Department of Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium; ALS: Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Málaga, Málaga, Spain; Instituto de la Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA), Málaga, Spain.

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