Beyond Euler/Cardan analysis: True glenohumeral axial rotation during arm elevation and rotation

Based on Euler/Cardan analysis, prior investigations have reported up to 80° of glenohumeral (GH) external rotation during arm elevation, dependent on the plane of elevation (PoE). However, the subtraction of Euler/Cardan angles does not compute the rotation around the humerus' longitudinal axis (i.e. axial rotation). Clinicians want to understand the true rotation around the humerus' longitudinal axis and rely on laboratories to inform their understanding of underlying shoulder biomechanics, especially for the GH joint since its motion cannot be visually ascertained. True GH axial rotation has not been previously measured in vivo, and its difference from Euler/Cardan (apparent) axial rotation is unknown.

What is the true GH axial rotation during arm elevation and external rotation, and does it vary from apparent axial rotation and by PoE?

Twenty healthy subjects (10 M/10 F, ages 22-66) were recorded using biplane fluoroscopy while performing arm elevation in the coronal, scapular and sagittal planes, and external rotation in 0° and 90° of abduction. Apparent GH axial rotation was computed using the xz'y'' and yx'y'' sequences. True GH axial rotation was computed by integrating the projection of GH angular velocity onto the humerus' longitudinal axis. One-dimensional statistical parametric mapping was utilized to compare apparent versus true axial rotation, axial rotation versus 0°, and detect differences in axial rotation by PoE.

In contrast to apparent axial rotation, true GH axial rotation does not differ by PoE and is not different than 0° during arm elevation at higher elevation angles. The spherical area between the sequence-specific and actual humeral trajectory explains the difference between apparent and true axial rotation.

Proper quantification of axial rotation is important because biomechanics literature informs clinical understanding of shoulder biomechanics. Clinicians care about true axial rotation, which should be reported in future studies of shoulder kinematics.