Clinical relevance commentary in response to: Repositioning the scapula with taping following distal radius fracture: Kinematic analysis using 3-dimensional motion system

The authors should be applauded for their novel approach for studying proximal movement patterns and the effect of elastic therapeutic taping (ETT) to scapular kinematics following a distal radius fracture (DRF) treated with internal fixation. Rehabilitation therapists have long associated faulty kinetic chain movement patterns with malaligned joints and compromised muscle length-tension relationships that can occur following a DRF. ^,  Few studies have objectively examined the outcomes of scapular motions following a DRF injury. One of the theorized benefits of ETT is proprioceptive feedback to promote or inhibit movement patterns. Positive findings with improved scapular posterior tilt have been found when ETT was applied to subjects with shoulder impingement. However, there are no studies researching the effects of ETT on scapular kinematics following a DRF injury. The authors studied two clinical concepts. The purpose of this study was to determine the scapular motions following a DRF treated with internal fixation compared to paired matched healthy controls and also to investigate the effect of elastic taping on scapular kinematics in subjects following DRF. Between-group comparisons were used to measure scapular motions between the experimental groups consisting of subjects following a DRF treated with internal fixation compared to healthy controls. Within-group comparisons were measured in the experimental group to measure scapular kinematics with no tape and ETT conditions. The authors used a cross-sectional and pre/post test design.