title: Quantification of the weakness and fatigue in thoracic outlet syndrome with isokinetic measurements.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Patients with thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) complain of many subjective symptoms that are difficult to measure and quantify. In this study we have tried to assess the weakness (muscle strength) and fatigue (endurance) of these patients with an objective measurement method, isokinetic muscle testing.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty three TOS patients and 15 age matched healthy controls were enrolled in the study. Detailed histories of the patients were taken and the patients underwent complete physical examinations. Cervical radiographies, Doppler ultrasonography, electromyography, and isokinetic measurements were carried out. The isokinetic measurements were carried using the Biodex System 3 dynamometer during concentric shoulder flexions and extensions at velocities of 60 degrees /s, 180 degrees /s, and 240 degrees /s.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Although the muscle strengths of both groups seemed to be similar, the fatigue ratios of TOS patients at 60 degrees /s and 180 degrees /s were found to be higher compared with those of healthy controls (p = 0.029, p = 0.007).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  TOS patients were found to have muscular performance similar to controls, but their upper extremities developed fatigue more easily than those of healthy individuals.
authors.affiliation: Hacettepe University Medical School, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Ankara 06100, Turkey. lozcakar@yahoo.com
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ozçakar
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Inanici
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kaymak
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Abali
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cetin
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Hasçelik
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018763:Muscle Fatigue / Q000502:physiology*; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology*; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology; D020379:Risk Adjustment; D013901:Thoracic Outlet Syndrome / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014463:Ultrasonography
references.citation: Joint Bone Spine. 2004 Sep;71(5):430-2
references.pmid: 15474397
references.citation: Ann Thorac Surg. 1973 Sep;16(3):239-48
references.pmid: 4542290
references.citation: Acta Physiol Scand. 1976 Nov;98(3):318-22
references.pmid: 136865
references.citation: Am J Surg. 1979 Jul;138(1):175-82
references.pmid: 464206
references.citation: Am J Surg. 1979 Aug;138(2):246-50
references.pmid: 464224
references.citation: Muscle Nerve. 1999 Jan;22(1):130-6; discussion 136-7
references.pmid: 9883870
references.citation: Orthop Clin North Am. 1988 Jan;19(1):131-46
references.pmid: 3336571
references.citation: Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol. 1989;58(6):666-73
references.pmid: 2731536
references.citation: Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol. 1989;59(4):303-9
references.pmid: 2583178
references.citation: Orthop Clin North Am. 1996 Apr;27(2):265-303
references.pmid: 8614579
references.citation: Muscle Nerve. 1999 Jan;22(1):126-9; discussion 137-8
references.pmid: 9883869
references.citation: Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 1981 Feb;62(2):66-9
references.pmid: 7235888