Prodromal

This illustration demonstrates the type of scapula you would see on a Right BC patient. The right scapula is abducted, depressed and upwardly rotated on the thorax. Its internal rotation or orientation makes it look like it’s winging at the vertebral border around a vertical axis. It’s resting in a protracted state and often compliments the rib hump on the posterior thoracic wall on this type of a patterned patient. The subclavius is having a direct impact on its forward pull at the distal spine and at the acromion junction. On the left side you will see an abducted or elevated orientated scapula on the thorax. Its downward rotation results in an overactive and shortened pectoralis muscle on the left side that is active because of the limited amount of sternal rotation to the left. It’s externally rotated and resting on a rib cage that is more posteriorly positioned with respect to the right, therefore, appearing to be in a retracted state. I like the word “prodromal” because it’s a word that describes precursory function. It relates to pre-activity that is associated with the Right BC pattern that precedes symptoms and dysfunctional discomfort that is often described as shoulder bursitis, upper trapezius hypertonicity, levator scapula strain, T4 pain, and snapping scapular syndrome, and curvature of the spine. Prodromal is an early situation that is indicating possible or early onset of an attack of the above mentioned symptoms or by dictionary definition “a disease state”. I like the word because it reminds us of premonition, precursory, and pre-position.