Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 9, 2025

A Novel Method for Assessing Proximal and Distal Forelimb Function in the Rat: the Irvine, Beatties and Bresnahan IBB Forelimb Scale
12:46

A Novel Method for Assessing Proximal and Distal Forelimb Function in the Rat: the Irvine, Beatties and Bresnahan IBB Forelimb Scale

Published on: December 16, 2010

19.8K

The Relationship Between Elbow Flexion Postures and Overhead Reaching in Birth Brachial Plexus Injuries

T R Goins1, John Fox, Katherine Saul

  • 1Rocky Mountain University of Health Professionals, Provo, Utah (Ms Goins); Methodist University, Doctor of Physical Therapy Program, Fayetteville, North Carolina (Dr Fox); Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina (Dr Saul); Pediatric Neurology Associates, New Jersey (Ms Servello); Department of Physical Therapy & Human Movement Science, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois (Dr Sullivan).

Pediatric Physical Therapy : the Official Publication of the Section on Pediatrics of the American Physical Therapy Association
|November 30, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Optimal elbow positioning enhances shoulder elevation in individuals with birth brachial plexus injury. Immobilizing the elbow at 20° improved shoulder movement, suggesting benefits for overhead reaching and muscle activation.

Area of Science:

  • Biomechanics
  • Neurorehabilitation
  • Human Movement Science

Background:

  • Birth brachial plexus injury (BPI) often affects upper limb function, impacting shoulder and elbow movements.
  • Altered muscle states in BPI can influence joint kinematics and muscle activation patterns.
  • Understanding the interplay between elbow posture and shoulder elevation is crucial for rehabilitation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate how varying elbow joint postures affect biceps muscle length and activation during shoulder elevation.
  • To determine the impact of different elbow positions on shoulder abduction and flexion in individuals with BPI.
  • To identify optimal elbow postures for maximizing shoulder elevation in this population.

Main Methods:

  • Participants aged 5+ with BPI performed shoulder elevation (abduction/flexion) in 7 distinct elbow conditions.
  • Surface electromyography (sEMG) recorded biceps and triceps muscle activity bilaterally.
  • Shoulder elevation angles were measured across all tested elbow postures.

Main Results:

  • Peak shoulder elevation was achieved in the immobilized 20° elbow posture.
  • Elbow posture significantly influenced the muscle activity of both biceps and triceps.
  • Immobilization in elongated elbow postures appeared to enhance shoulder elevation.

Conclusions:

  • Elongated elbow postures, particularly when immobilized, may increase passive forces, thereby improving shoulder elevation in individuals with altered biceps muscle states.
  • Clinicians should consider utilizing elbow joint postures below 30° to optimize overhead reaching capabilities in patients with BPI.
  • This finding has implications for designing targeted therapeutic interventions to improve upper limb function after BPI.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Methods for In Vivo Biomechanical Testing on Brachial Plexus in Neonatal Piglets06:51

Methods for In Vivo Biomechanical Testing on Brachial Plexus in Neonatal Piglets

Published on: December 19, 2019

6.1K
Structured Motor Rehabilitation After Selective Nerve Transfers09:34

Structured Motor Rehabilitation After Selective Nerve Transfers

Published on: August 15, 2019

22.2K

Related Concept Videos

Spinal Nerves: Plexus I01:22

Spinal Nerves: Plexus I

Nerve plexuses are networks of interlacing nerves that serve as communication hubs to distribute and organize nerve action across various body regions. The nerve plexuses are organized into the cervical plexus located in the neck region, brachial plexus in the shoulder area, lumbar plexus found in the lower back, sacral plexus situated in the pelvis, and coccygeal plexus located in the coccygeal region.
The Cervical Plexus
The cervical plexus, formed by the anterior rami of the first four...
956
Muscles that Move the Forearm01:16

Muscles that Move the Forearm

The muscles that move the forearms can be divided into four groups: forearm flexors, forearm extensors, forearm pronators, and forearm supinators. The flexors and extensors act on the elbow joint, while the pronators and supinators act on the radioulnar joints.
Forearm Flexors
The biceps brachii, brachialis, and brachioradialis are forearm flexors. The biceps brachii is made up of two heads. Its long head originates at the supraglenoid tubercle of the scapula, whereas that of the short head is...
1.6K
Arteries of the Upper Limbs01:12

Arteries of the Upper Limbs

The subclavian artery transitions into the axillary artery as it exits the chest and enters the axillary region. This artery is critical for supplying blood to the shoulder area, including the head of the humerus, through the humeral circumflex arteries. As the vessel continues into the upper arm or brachium, it becomes the brachial artery. This artery plays a key role in vascularizing the brachial region and bifurcates at the elbow into several branches. These branches include the deep...
601
Bones of the Upper Limb: Radius01:09

Bones of the Upper Limb: Radius

The radius is longer of the two bones that make up the human antebrachium or forearm. At the proximal end, the radius articulates with the capitulum of the humerus and the radial notch of the ulna to form the elbow joint. At the distal end, the radius articulates with the ulna via the ulnar notch, forming the distal radioulnar joint. Distally, the radius also attaches to the carpal wrist bones (scaphoid and lunate) to form the radiocarpal joint.
The radius has a nail-shaped head, and a...
2.2K
Bones of the Upper Limb: Ulna01:15

Bones of the Upper Limb: Ulna

The ulna and radius are parallel bones of the antebrachium or the forearm. The ulna lies medially and consists of a bony tip called the olecranon process at its proximal end. This hook-like projection articulates with the olecranon fossa of the humerus and forms the "hinged" ulnohumeral part of the elbow joint. This joint facilitates forearm extension and flexion while preventing its hyperextension. Similarly, the coronoid process, another bony projection on the proximal/anterior side...
2.2K
Bones of the Upper Limb: Humerus01:19

Bones of the Upper Limb: Humerus

The upper limb consists of the arm, forearm, wrist, and hand bones. The humerus is the single bone of the upper arm region. Proximally, it has a large, spherical, smooth head that articulates with the glenoid cavity of the scapula to form the glenohumeral or shoulder joint. The margin of the head is the anatomical neck, a residual epiphyseal plate. Laterally it extends to form bony projections called the greater tubercle and the lesser tubercle. Next to the tubercles is the surgical neck, a...
3.2K