The Relationship Between Pectoralis Minor Muscle Shortness, Scapular Dyskinesis, and Cervical Joint Mobility

Ayça Aracı; Deniz Bulut; Emine Eda Kurt; Ayşe Ünal

Article Details

The Relationship Between Pectoralis Minor Muscle Shortness, Scapular Dyskinesis, and Cervical Joint Mobility

Authors:

Ayça Aracı | Deniz Bulut | Emine Eda Kurt | Ayşe Ünal

Publisher:

Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat Üniversitesi

Main Topics:

Fizyoterapi

Journal:

Syedra Sağlık Dergisi Vol.2 Issue 1, pp.27-33

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

9/2025

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001359103

pISSN:

3062-3030

Keywords:

Abstract:

 Purpose: Shortening of the pectoralis minor PMm muscle can alter the resting position and movement patterns of the scapula, potentially contributing to the development of scapular dyskinesis SD. While the biomechanical impact of PMm on the scapulothoracic system has been widely discussed, its relationship with cervical joint range of motion ROM remains underexplored. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between PMm shortening, scapular dyskinesis, and cervical joint ROM. Methods: A total of 46 volunteers 34 females, 12 males with chronic shoulder andor neck pain were recruited from a physical therapy outpatient clinic. Participants underwent scapular reposition and assistance tests, lateral scapular slide tests, cervical ROM measurements, and pectoralis minor muscle length assessments. The data were analyzed to examine the potential associations between PMm length, SD, and cervical mobility. Results: Scapular reposition and assistance tests were positive in 73.9 and 80.4 of participants, respectively. The mean PMm length was found to be 9.762.56 cm. While cervical rotation angles were above 53 on average, flexion and lateral flexion values were relatively lower. The findings suggest a significant relationship between shortened PMm and both SD and limited cervical ROM p0.05. Conclusion: Adaptive shortening of the pectoralis minor appears to be a key biomechanical factor contributing to scapular dyskinesis and reduced cervicothoracic mobility. Considering the functional interdependence between the scapular and cervical regions, assessment of PMm length may offer valuable clinical insights for postural correction, pain management, and rehabilitation planning.

 Purpose: Shortening of the pectoralis minor PMm muscle can alter the resting position and movement patterns of the scapula, potentially contributing to the development of scapular dyskinesis SD. While the biomechanical impact of PMm on the scapulothoracic system has been widely discussed, its relationship with cervical joint range of motion ROM remains underexplored. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between PMm shortening, scapular dyskinesis, and cervical joint ROM. Methods: A total of 46 volunteers 34 females, 12 males with chronic shoulder andor neck pain were recruited from a physical therapy outpatient clinic. Participants underwent scapular reposition and assistance tests, lateral scapular slide tests, cervical ROM measurements, and pectoralis minor muscle length assessments. The data were analyzed to examine the potential associations between PMm length, SD, and cervical mobility. Results: Scapular reposition and assistance tests were positive in 73.9 and 80.4 of participants, respectively. The mean PMm length was found to be 9.762.56 cm. While cervical rotation angles were above 53 on average, flexion and lateral flexion values were relatively lower. The findings suggest a significant relationship between shortened PMm and both SD and limited cervical ROM p0.05. Conclusion: Adaptive shortening of the pectoralis minor appears to be a key biomechanical factor contributing to scapular dyskinesis and reduced cervicothoracic mobility. Considering the functional interdependence between the scapular and cervical regions, assessment of PMm length may offer valuable clinical insights for postural correction, pain management, and rehabilitation planning.

 Purpose: Shortening of the pectoralis minor PMm muscle can alter the resting position and movement patterns of the scapula, potentially contributing to the development of scapular dyskinesis SD. While the biomechanical impact of PMm on the scapulothoracic system has been widely discussed, its relationship with cervical joint range of motion ROM remains underexplored. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between PMm shortening, scapular dyskinesis, and cervical joint ROM. Methods: A total of 46 volunteers 34 females, 12 males with chronic shoulder andor neck pain were recruited from a physical therapy outpatient clinic. Participants underwent scapular reposition and assistance tests, lateral scapular slide tests, cervical ROM measurements, and pectoralis minor muscle length assessments. The data were analyzed to examine the potential associations between PMm length, SD, and cervical mobility. Results: Scapular reposition and assistance tests were positive in 73.9 and 80.4 of participants, respectively. The mean PMm length was found to be 9.762.56 cm. While cervical rotation angles were above 53 on average, flexion and lateral flexion values were relatively lower. The findings suggest a significant relationship between shortened PMm and both SD and limited cervical ROM p0.05. Conclusion: Adaptive shortening of the pectoralis minor appears to be a key biomechanical factor contributing to scapular dyskinesis and reduced cervicothoracic mobility. Considering the functional interdependence between the scapular and cervical regions, assessment of PMm length may offer valuable clinical insights for postural correction, pain management, and rehabilitation planning.

 Amaç: Pektoralis minör kasının PMm kısalığı, skapulanın dinlenme pozisyonunu ve hareket paternlerini değiştirerek skapular diskinezinin gelişiminde etkili olabilir. PMmnin skapulotorasik sistem üzerindeki bu etkisinin, servikal bölge hareket açıklığıyla ilişkili olup olmadığı ise sınırlı sayıda çalışmada incelenmiştir. Bu çalışma, PMm kısalığının skapular diskinezi SD ve boyun eklem hareket açıklığı EHA ile olan ilişkisini değerlendirmeyi amaçlamaktadır. Yöntem: Çalışmaya, kronik omuz veveya boyun ağrısı şikâyetiyle fizik tedavi polikliniğine başvuran 46 gönüllü birey 34 kadın, 12 erkek dahil edilmiştir. Katılımcılara skapular repozisyon ve yardım testleri, lateral skapular kayma testi, servikal eklem hareket açıklığı ölçümleri ve pektoralis minör kas uzunluğu değerlendirmesi uygulanmıştır. Elde edilen veriler, PMm kısalığı ile SD ve EHA arasındaki ilişkileri ortaya koymak üzere analiz edilmiştir. Sonuç: Katılımcıların 73,9unda skapular repozisyon testi ve 80,4ünde skapular yardım testi pozitif bulunmuştur. PMm uzunluğu ortalaması 9,762,56 cm olarak ölçülmüştür. Servikal rotasyon değerleri ortalama 53 üzerinde olup, lateral fleksiyon ve fleksiyon değerleri görece düşük bulunmuştur. Analizler, PMm kısalığı ile hem SD hem de servikal hareket açıklıkları arasında anlamlı ilişkiler olabileceğini göstermiştir p0,05. Tartışma: PMm kısalığı, skapular diskinezinin oluşumuna ve servikotorasik mobilitenin sınırlanmasına katkıda bulunan önemli bir biyomekanik faktör olarak değerlendirilmektedir. Skapular ve servikal bölge arasındaki fonksiyonel bağlantılar göz önünde bulundurulduğunda, PMm uzunluğunun klinik değerlendirme sürecine dahil edilmesi; postüral kontrol, ağrı yönetimi ve rehabilitasyon planlamasında anlamlı katkılar sağlayabilir.

Article Details

The Relationship Between Pectoralis Minor Muscle Shortness, Scapular Dyskinesis, and Cervical Joint Mobility

Authors:

Ayça Aracı | Deniz Bulut | Emine Eda Kurt | Ayşe Ünal

Publisher:

Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat Üniversitesi

Main Topics:

Fizyoterapi

Journal:

Syedra Sağlık Dergisi Vol.2 Issue 1, pp.27-33

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

9/2025

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001359103

pISSN:

3062-3030

Cervical range of motion

Pectoralis minor

Posture

Scapular dyskinesis

Scapulothoracic systemBoyun hareket açıklığı

Pektoralis minör kası

Postür

Skapular diskinezi

Skapulotorasik sistem

Issues

Article Details

Authors: Ayça Aracı | Deniz Bulut | Emine Eda Kurt | Ayşe Ünal

Publisher: Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat Üniversitesi

Main Topics: Fizyoterapi

Journal: Syedra Sağlık Dergisi Vol.2 Issue 1, pp.27-33

Document Type: Article

Publication Date: 9/2025

Document Language: Turkish

Document ID (Org No.): 2001359103

pISSN: 3062-3030

Issues

Authors:

Ayça Aracı | Deniz Bulut | Emine Eda Kurt | Ayşe Ünal

Publisher:

Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat Üniversitesi

Main Topics:

Fizyoterapi

Journal:

Syedra Sağlık Dergisi Vol.2 Issue 1, pp.27-33

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

9/2025

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001359103

pISSN:

3062-3030