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Glenohumeral motion: review of measurement techniques

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Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy Aims and scope

Abstract

Measurement of upper limb motion is problematic, not least because of the large range of path dependent description of motion of the joints, and the multiple non-cyclical unstandardised motion tasks measured. Furthermore, appreciation of shoulder motion specifically is obscured by overlying soft tissue. In order to satisfy the complexity of a clinically useful model of the movement of the joint, input data must be acquired from a set of pre-determined movements using a non-invasive technique with a high level of accuracy. Descriptive and predictive modeling of the glenohumeral joint requires input of high-fidelity data into a 6 degree of freedom representation, without which, the application of the tool is of limited clinical significance to the advancement of both operative and non-operative management of shoulder pathology. Electromagnetic, linkage and radiographic techniques have previously been used, however, an optimal solution is yet to be described.

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Acknowledgments

This work was funded in part by an Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council doctoral training scheme.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Shoulder Bioengineering Group, Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, Sir Leon Bagrit Centre, Mechanical Engineering Building, South Kensington Campus, London, SW7 2AZ, UK

    A. M. Hill, A. M. J. Bull & A. L. Wallace

  2. Shoulder Unit, Hospital of St. John and St. Elizabeth, 60 Grove End Road, London, NW8 9NH, UK

    R. J. Dallalana & A. L. Wallace

  3. School of Mechanical and Systems Engineering, Centre for Rehabilitation and Engineering Studies, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Stephenson Building, Claremont Road, Newcastle, NE1 7RU, UK

    G. R. Johnson

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  1. A. M. Hill
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Correspondence to A. M. J. Bull.

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Hill, A.M., Bull, A.M.J., Dallalana, R.J. et al. Glenohumeral motion: review of measurement techniques. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthr 15, 1137–1143 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-007-0318-8

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