OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and measure the scapular positioning, and establishing its correlation with functional postural analysis and degree of upper extremities disability in sonographers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighteen physicians divided into two groups - symptomatic individuals with pain for more than six months, and asymptomatic individuals - were interviewed and submitted to physical assessment with application of the Brazilian version of the DASH questionnaire. Functional measurements of scapular inclination angles and upper limbs positioning were obtained during the ultrasound scanning. The Mann-Whitney U test was utilized for analyzing the disability questionnaires; the t-Student test, for upper limbs positioning; ANOVA, for scapular inclination angles, and the Spearman's test for correlation between the functional upper limbs positioning and disability degree. RESULTS: A significant difference between symptomatic and asymptomatic groups was observed in the first 30 items of the DASH questionnaire as well as in the four study-related questions. Measurements of scapular positioning presented significant differences between the groups in the frontal plane at 90° and 120°. No significant difference was found for the analysis of functional upper limbs positioning. CONCLUSION: Changes in the scapular positioning may result in upper limbs dysfunction, and the application of the DASH questionnaire can indicate the level of pain and disability of an individual.

Keywords: Biomechanics, Shoulder joint complex, Scapular positioning, Scapulohumeral rhythm, Sonographer