Abduction motion analysis of hemiplegic shoulders with a fluoroscopic guide

We investigated the usefulness of video based, fluoroscopically guided abduction motion analysis of hemiplegic shoulders.

Twenty-two stroke patients with Brunnstrom stages 3-4 (Group 1) or 5-6 (Group 2) were enrolled in this study. Patients with shoulder pain and significant spasticity (MAS 2) were excluded. We recorded motion pictures of the abductions of affected and unaffected shoulder joints under an AP fluoroscopic guide. Lateral scapular slide distances (D1: T2- superior angle, D2: T3- scapular spine, D3: T7-inferior angle) were measured at 30 degrees , 60 degrees , 90 degrees during glenohumeral abduction in a captured photographic image. The angles of scapular rotation and trajectory (stromotion) of the humeral head center, relative to the 3rd thoracic spine in the abduction motion were analyzed.

In Group 1, a significant difference was found in the lateral scapular slide distance between the affected and sound sides. However, no significant side to side difference was found in Group 2. Scapular angles in abduction were also increased in Group 1. Patients with a more synergistic movement pattern showed less scapular stabilizing muscle activity and, instead, exhibited a compensatory ''shrugging'' like motion accomplished by spinal tilting.

The present findings support the notion that the above parameters of fluoroscopically guided shoulder abduction motion analysis correlate well with clinical findings. These parameters should be useful for evaluations of hemiplegic shoulder biomechanics.