The location of the inferior angle of the scapula in relation to the spinal level of prone patients.
BACKGROUND
In two previous studies we established the mean location of the upright inferior angle of the scapula (IAS) to be near the spinous process of T8. The current study investigates the common belief that the prone IAS lines up with the T6 SP.


METHODS
The location of the IAS in relation to the spine of 20 mostly asymptomatic subjects was assessed on a Hi-Lo table in 7 different postures, 2 upright and 5 prone.


RESULTS
THE SCAPULA MOVED CEPHALAD IN TWO OF THE TEST POSITIONS: prone, arms at side and prone, chicken-wing. It moved caudad in the other 4 test positions, including prone, using armrest (18.4 mm).


CONCLUSIONS
With the prone patient's arms on the arm pieces, the most likely patient posture, the average caudad IAS movement is about one vertebral level, notwithstanding the common belief that the IAS is one level cephalad to the upright level.
Cooperstein
Robert
R
Haneline
Michael T
MT
Young
Morgan D
MD