Ultrasonographic findings in hemiplegic shoulders of stroke patients

Shoulder problems are frequently noted in hemiplegic shoulders and compromise rehabilitation. Many tools were used to evaluate the etiology of shoulder problems but most of them are either nonspecific to the evaluation of soft tissue or not convenient. In order to evaluate soft tissue and joint change in hemiplegic shoulders, 82 patients with hemiplegic shoulders caused by cerebral vascular accident (CVA) were collected and evaluated by ultrasonography with 5-12 MHz high-resolution electronic linear scanner (ATL ultrasound HDI 1500, USA). The non-hemiplegic shoulders were also studied as control group. The results showed that ultrasonographic changes were noted in 51 (62.2%) hemiplegic shoulders while changes only occurred in 17 (20.7%) non-hemiplegic shoulders. Effusion and tendinitis were the major changes showing statistical difference compared with non-hemiplegic shoulders, but there was no significant difference in the incidence of supraspinatus tendon tear between hemiplegic and non-hemiplegic shoulders. Further, the interval from the onset of CVA was not significantly correlated with the presence of positive ultrasonographic findings in hemiplegic shoulders. The results demonstrated that ultrasonography is a potential method in the evaluation of hemiplegic shoulder.