Kinematic MRI of the normal shoulder using a specially designed positioning device
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Updated: Sep 28, 2026
Measuring 3D In-vivo Shoulder Kinematics using Biplanar Videoradiography
Published on: March 12, 2021
Osamu Tokuda1, Yoshie Kunihiro, Naofumi Matsunaga
1Department of Radiology, Yamaguchi University School of Medicine, 1-1-1 Minamikogushi, Ube, Yamaguchi 755-8505, Japan.
Objectives:
The objective of this study was to determine the normal patterns of the normal glenohumeral joint by kinematic MRI with a special positioning device.
Methods:
Ten healthy volunteers were examined using an open MRI system. Axial three-dimensional gradient-echo images were obtained through the glenohumeral joint in the transverse axial plane by 30 degrees increments from external rotation to internal rotation.
Results:
The free margins of the anterior labrum (40%) and the posterior labrum (10%) were seen to be slightly mobile. Although the anterior labrum showed increased signal intensity (20%), no signal intensity changes occurred in the posterior labrum. Most of the anterior labrum was not triangular in internal rotation. The anterior joint capsule showed changes in shape (60%) in neutral and internal rotation.
Conclusions:
Kinematic MRI can provide information on the labrocapsular ligamentous complex without the need for intraarticular injection of a contrast agent.
