Elbow joint restriction: effect on functional upper limb motion during performance of three feeding activities

This study was conducted to quantify and compare changes in upper limb joint motion during different feeding tasks when the elbow joint was restricted. Ten male and nine female volunteer subjects age 18 to 50 years participated; all were healthy, right dominant, with no upper limb pathology. A splint was used to restrict elbow joint motion. Three feeding tasks under both unrestricted and restricted conditions were randomly assigned; motion was recorded by a video-based three-dimensional motion analysis system. Elbow restriction resulted in significantly (p < .05) larger arcs of motion in shoulder flexion and internal rotation. Differences between feeding types were similar during both unrestricted and restricted conditions. Increased shoulder joint motion resulting from elbow joint restriction may require greater activity of shoulder girdle muscles increasing the risk of soft tissue problems and degenerative joint disease. Decisions regarding elbow immobilization should take into consideration potential effects upon total upper limb motion.