Restricted scapular mobility during arm abduction: implications for impingement syndrome.
Scapular mobility plays a central role in normal shoulder function, and alterations in scapular mobility have been suggested as a factor in impingement syndrome. We therefore measured the effect of restricted scapular mobility during arm abduction on acromiohumeral and coracohumeral distances. For the control measurements, healthy volunteers (n = 10, all male, age range 25-35 years) underwent multislice computed tomography in a supine position, with the humerus actively maintained in the scapular plane at 45 degrees internal rotation and 60, 90 or 120 degrees abduction. To restrict scapular mobility a custom-made brace was then placed on each volunteer and fastened firmly with bandages, and the measurements were repeated. From the three-dimensional images the acromiohumeral and coracohumeral distances were measured. With the humerus in 90 degrees abduction, the acromiohumeral distance was significantly reduced (Student's t test). This result suggests that impingement syndrome may have a functional component.
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Fatih University Medical School, Ankara, Turkey.
Hakan
H
Atalar
Cengiz
C
Yilmaz
Onur
O
Polat
Hakan
H
Selek
Ismail
I
Uraş
Burcu
B
Yanik
D000328:Adult; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D001915:Braces; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008297:Male; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012540:Scapula / Q000503:physiopathology*; D019534:Shoulder Impingement Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012785:Shoulder Joint / Q000503:physiopathology