Relationship of glenohumeral elevation and 3-dimensional scapular kinematics with disability in patients with shoulder disorders.
OBJECTIVE
To determine variables among glenohumeral elevation and 3-dimensional scapular rotations that are related to shoulder function as assessed by the Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand-Disability/Symptom (DASH-D/S) scale.


METHODS
Prospective, cross-sectional study.


METHODS
Eighty-eight patients with shoulder pain and limited range of motion were included.


METHODS
Each patient performed 2 full active range of motion activities, forward flexion and abduction, and 2 activities of daily living, combing hair and simulating washing the back. Glenohumeral elevation and scapular rotations were measured by the Polhemus Fastrak electromagnetic system.


RESULTS
On multiple regression analysis, glenohumeral elevation in combing hair and scapular lateral rotation in both abduction and simulating washing the back were the best predictors of shoulder function and explained 39.7% of the variance of the DASH-D/S score.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings support the classical rehabilitation of the shoulder based on glenohumeral elevation and suggest the importance of attention paid to scapular lateral rotation.
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Cochin Hospital, 27 Rue du Faubourg Saint Jacques, Paris Cedex 14, France. fouadfayad@yahoo.fr
Fouad
F
Fayad
Agnès
A
Roby-Brami
Vincent
V
Gautheron
Marie-Martine
MM
Lefevre-Colau
Sylvain
S
Hanneton
Jacques
J
Fermanian
Serge
S
Poiraudeau
Michel
M
Revel
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006811:Humerus / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012399:Rotation; D012540:Scapula / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012785:Shoulder Joint / Q000503:physiopathology*; D020069:Shoulder Pain / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires