Kinematics of the contralateral and ipsilateral shoulder: a possible relationship with post-stroke shoulder pain.
OBJECTIVE
Post-stroke shoulder pain is a common phenomenon in hemiplegia and impedes rehabilitation. The aim of this study was to identify a possible relationship between post-stroke shoulder pain, scapula resting position and shoulder motion.


METHODS
Shoulder kinematics of 27 patients after stroke (17 men) were compared with 10 healthy age-matched control subjects. Using an electromagnetic tracking device, the kinematics of both the contralateral and ipsilateral (i.e. paretic and non-paretic) arm during active and passive abduction and forward flexion were measured and expressed in Euler angles.


RESULTS
Scapular lateral rotation relative to the thorax was increased in patients with post-stroke shoulder pain compared with both patients without post-stroke shoulder pain and control subjects at rest as well as during arm abduction and forward flexion. Additionally, glenohumeral elevation was decreased in patients with post-stroke shoulder pain during passive abduction. No differences were found regarding scapula position (displacement relative to the thorax).


CONCLUSIONS
In patients with post-stroke shoulder pain a particular kinematical shoulder pattern was established, characterized by enhanced scapular lateral rotation and diminished glenohumeral mobility.
Faculty of Human Movement Sciences, Research Institute MOVE, VU University Amsterdam, Van der Boechorststraat 9, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. m.niessen@fbw.vu.nl
Martijn
M
Niessen
Thomas
T
Janssen
Carel
C
Meskers
Peter
P
Koppe
Manin
M
Konijnenbelt
DirkJan
D
Veeger
D000368:Aged; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D005260:Female; D006429:Hemiplegia / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012399:Rotation; D012540:Scapula / Q000503:physiopathology; D012785:Shoulder Joint / Q000503:physiopathology; D020069:Shoulder Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation