English

Abstract

BACKGROUND Poor posture like hunching forward is one of the most commonly practiced postures by women during breastfeeding. The maintenance of such postures for prolonged period can result in progressive weakness of the scapular muscles and subsequent increase in the kyphotic curve. Both lordosis and kyphosis increase during pregnancy and are observed to be maintained for up to 2 months postnatally. The thoracic spine position and slouched position significantly affects the scapular dynamics during scapular abduction resulting in decreased muscle forces. Thus, scapular dyskinesis, defined as an alteration of normal position or motion of the scapula during coupled scapulohumeral movements can occur as a result of decreased muscle forces. Thus, this gives rise to the need for evaluating scapular dyskinesis and its prevalence in postnatal women. The purpose of the study was to find the prevalence of scapular dyskinesis in breastfeeding postnatal women. METHODS An observational analytical study was undertaken at Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences, including a total of 40 subjects within the age group of (15 - 40) yrs. who had been breastfeeding for 6 months or more. These subjects were assessed for scapular dyskinesis using Yes / No test and the lateral scapular slide test (LSST). Kyphosis was assessed on observational basis through postural assessment in these individuals. Statistical analysis was done using the InStat app. RESULTS 67 % and 75 % of the subjects were found to be positive for scapular dyskinesis through Yes / No Test and LSST test respectively. Observational assessment showed that 55 % of the subjects were positive for kyphosis. Subjects demonstrated significant prevalence of scapular dyskinesis and subsequent kyphosis in postnatal females due to wrong ergonomic practice of breastfeeding. CONCLUSIONS The study shows that women lack proper knowledge about the breastfeeding ergonomics leading to weakness of scapular muscles. Thus, a significant prevalence of scapular dyskinesis was seen in breastfeeding postnatal women. KEY WORDS Breastfeeding, Scapular Muscle Weakness, Kyphosis, Ergonomics, Scapular Dyskinesis