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Published on: February 10, 2015
Intraoperative measurement of shoulder translation
1Department of Orthopaedics, University Hospital, Linköping, Sweden. bo.tillander@ebox.tninet.se
Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery
|August 23, 2001
Summary
A new shoulder translation tester accurately measures glenohumeral joint laxity during surgery. This device provides precise, millimeter-increment data, improving diagnosis and treatment for shoulder instability.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Biomechanical Engineering
- Diagnostic Tools
Background:
- Assessing shoulder joint laxity under anesthesia is crucial before arthroscopy.
- Manual laxity assessment lacks quantitative precision, especially for inferior translation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate a novel instrument for intraoperative measurement of glenohumeral translation.
- To compare instrumented measurements with manual laxity assessment.
Main Methods:
- A novel shoulder translation tester with pins and a sliding ruler was developed.
- The device was tested on 102 patients undergoing shoulder arthroscopy.
- Measurements of anterior, posterior, and inferior translation were recorded.
Main Results:
- The instrument provided reliable, quantitative translation values in millimeters.
- Manual assessment correlated well with anterior and posterior translation but poorly with inferior translation.
- Unstable shoulders showed significantly higher translation values than stable shoulders.
Conclusions:
- The shoulder translation tester is a quick, easy-to-use tool for quantitative glenohumeral translation measurement.
- The device aids in accurate diagnosis, therapy planning, and documentation of shoulder instability.
- Instrumented assessment offers superior precision over manual estimation, particularly for inferior laxity.
