Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

In vivo three-dimensional motion analysis of the shoulder joint during internal and external rotation

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
International Orthopaedics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to assess accurately the three-dimensional movements of the scapula and humerus relative to the thorax during internal/external rotation motion with abduction of the shoulder joint.

Methods

Ten right shoulders of ten healthy volunteers were examined using a wide-gantry open magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system. MRI was performed every 30° from 90° external rotation to 90° internal rotation of the shoulder joint.

Results

The contribution ratio of the scapulothoracic joint was 12.5% about the long axis of the humerus during internal/external rotation motion. With arm position changes from 90° external rotation to 60° internal rotation, most movement was performed by the glenohumeral joint. Conversely, at internal rotation of ≥60°, the scapula began to markedly tilt in the anterior direction. At 90° internal rotation, the scapula was significantly tilted anteriorly (p < 0.05) when compared with the other positions.

Conclusions

We clarified the existence of a specific scapulohumeral motion pattern, whereby the glenohumeral joint moves with internal rotation and the scapulothoracic joint moves with anterior tilt together with internal rotation motion of the shoulder joint.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. McClure PW, Michener LA, Sennett BJ et al (2001) Direct 3-dimensional measurement of scapular kinematics during dynamic movements in vivo. J Shoulder Elbow Surg 10(3):269–277

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Ludewig PM, Cook TM, Nawoczenski DA (1996) Three-dimensional scapular orientation and muscle activity at selected positions of humeral elevation. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 24(2):57–65

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. van der Helm FC, Pronk GM (1995) Three-dimensional recording and description of motions of the shoulder mechanism. J Biomech Eng 117(1):27–40

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. McQuade KJ, Hwa Wei S, Smidt GL (1995) Effects of local muscle fatigue on three-dimensional scapulohumeral rhythm. Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon) 10(3):144–148

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Rettig O, Fradet L, Kasten P et al (2009) A new kinematic model of the upper extremity based on functional joint parameter determination for shoulder and elbow. Gait Posture 30(4):469–476

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Lovern B, Stroud LA, Evans RO et al (2009) Dynamic tracking of the scapula using skin-mounted markers. Proc Inst Mech Eng H 223(7):823–831

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Bourne DA, Choo AM, Regan WD et al (2007) Three-dimensional rotation of the scapula during functional movements: an in vivo study in healthy volunteers. J Shoulder Elbow Surg 16(2):150–162

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Ludewig PM, Phadke V, Braman JP et al (2009) Motion of the shoulder complex during multiplanar humeral elevation. J Bone Joint Surg Am 91(2):378–389

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Lorensen WE, Cline HE (1987) Marching cubes: a high resolution 3D surface construction algorithm. Comput Graph 21(4):163–170

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Hill DL, Batchelor PG, Holden M et al (2001) Medical image registration. Phys Med Biol 46:R1–R45

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Ishii T, Mukai Y, Hosono N et al (2004) Kinematics of the upper cervical spine in rotation: in vivo three-dimensional analysis. Spine 29(7):E139–E144

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Wu G, van der Helm FC, Veeger HE et al (2005) ISB recommendation on definitions of joint coordinate systems of various joints for the reporting of human joint motion—Part II: shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand. J Biomech 38(5):981–992

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Karduna AR, Williams GR, Williams JL et al (1996) Kinematics of the glenohumeral joint: influences of muscle forces, ligamentous constraints, and articular geometry. J Orthop Res 14(6):986–993

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Huffman GR, Tibone JE, McGarry MH et al (2006) Path of glenohumeral articulation throughout the rotational range of motion in a thrower’s shoulder model. Am J Sports Med 34(10):1662–1669

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Inman VT, Saunders JB, Abbott LC (1944) Observations of the function of the shoulder joint. J Bone Joint Surg Am 26(1):1–30

    Google Scholar 

  16. Freedman L, Munro RR (1966) Abduction of the arm in the scapular plane: scapular and glenohumeral movements. A roentgenographic study. J Bone Joint Surg Am 48(8):1503–1510

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Poppen NK, Walker PS (1976) Normal and abnormal motion of the shoulder. J Bone Joint Surg Am 58(2):195–201

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Paletta GA Jr, Warner JJ, Warren RF et al (1997) Shoulder kinematics with two-plane X-ray evaluation in patients with anterior instability or rotator cuff tearing. J Shoulder Elbow Surg 6(6):516–527

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Bey MJ, Kline SK, Zauel R et al (2008) Measuring dynamic in-vivo glenohumeral joint kinematics: technique and preliminary results. J Biomech 41(3):711–714

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Nishinaka N, Tsutsui H, Mihara K et al (2008) Determination of in vivo glenohumeral translation using fluoroscopy and shape-matching techniques. J Shoulder Elbow Surg 17(2):319–322

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Boyer PJ, Massimini DF, Gill TJ et al (2008) In vivo articular cartilage contact at the glenohumeral joint: preliminary report. J Orthop Sci 13(4):359–365

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Goto A, Moritomo H, Murase T et al (2004) In vivo elbow biomechanical analysis during flexion: three-dimensional motion analysis using magnetic resonance imaging. J Shoulder Elbow Surg 13(4):441–447

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Moritomo H, Murase T, Goto A et al (2006) In vivo three-dimensional kinematics of the midcarpal joint of the wrist. J Bone Joint Surg Am 88(3):611–621

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Sahara W, Sugamoto K, Murai M et al (2006) 3D kinematic analysis of the acromioclavicular joint during arm abduction using vertically open MRI. J Orthop Res 24(9):1823–1831

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Sahara W, Sugamoto K, Murai M et al (2007) Three-dimensional clavicular and acromioclavicular rotations during arm abduction using vertically open MRI. J Orthop Res 25(9):1243–1249

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

We wish to thank Mr. Y. Sakaguchi, a radiological technologist, for performing MRI at Matsumoto medical clinic and Mr. R. Nakao, a programmer, for developing the software.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedic Biomaterial Science, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-2 Yamada-oka, Suita City, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan

    Hayato Koishi, Yasushi Omori & Kazuomi Sugamoto

  2. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-2 Yamada-oka, Suita City, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan

    Akira Goto, Kazuma Futai & Hideki Yoshikawa

  3. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Osaka Police Hospital, 10-31 kitayamachou Tennnoujiku, Osaka City, Osaka, 543-0035, Japan

    Makoto Tanaka

Authors
  1. Hayato Koishi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Akira Goto
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Makoto Tanaka
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Yasushi Omori
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Kazuma Futai
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Hideki Yoshikawa
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Kazuomi Sugamoto
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Hayato Koishi.

Electronic supplementary materials

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

(MPEG 2373 kb)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Koishi, H., Goto, A., Tanaka, M. et al. In vivo three-dimensional motion analysis of the shoulder joint during internal and external rotation. International Orthopaedics (SICOT) 35, 1503–1509 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-011-1219-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-011-1219-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation