Three-dimensional motion analysis of compensatory movements in patients with radioulnar synostosis performing activities of daily living.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to quantify the compensatory movements of the shoulder and elbow in patients with congenital radioulnar synostosis during 10 activities of daily living (ADL).


METHODS
Maximum and minimum joint angles and range of motion were measured by use of a motion capture system in seven patients and seven matched controls. The forearm was fixed in 0 degrees of rotation in four patients and in 20 degrees of pronation in three patients.


RESULTS
The main compensatory movements were shoulder internal/external rotation during five ADL tasks, shoulder abduction/adduction and elbow flexion/extension during three tasks, and shoulder flexion/extension during two tasks. These compensatory movements were observed mainly when turning a key and drawing.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with congenital radioulnar synostosis in nearly neutral rotation could perform all ADL tasks with the aid of compensatory movements of the shoulder and elbow.
Kasten
Philip
P
Department of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery, Orthopaedic University Hospital of Heidelberg, Schlierbacher Landstrasse 200 A, 69118 Heidelberg, Germany.
Rettig
Oliver
O
Loew
Markus
M
Wolf
Sebastian
S
Raiss
Patric
P
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D053587:Arthrometry, Articular; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D008875:Middle Aged; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology*; D012785:Shoulder Joint / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013580:Synostosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D014741:Video Recording; D055815:Young Adult