Scapula

Specific risks

Cervical level spinal cord injuries can increase the risk of skin damage over scapula due to potential for:

• Reduced muscle bulk around the scapula.
• Impaired trunk control and balance that can increase shear forces over the scapula through unstable movement.
• Use of a halo-thoracic brace.

The scapula is at the highest risk when the person with an SCI is:

• in supine or sitting upright.
• using suboptimal quality back supports (e.g. with compressed foam, damaged straps on the shower commode) or poorly fitting back supports.
• using an ill-fitting or textured sling, particularly when this is directly against the skin.