Investigation of the range of motion of the shoulder joint in subjects with rotator cuff arthropathy while performing daily activities

Abstract

Background Patients who have rotator cuff arthropathy experience a limited range of motion (ROM) of the shoulder joint and experience problems in performing their daily activities; however, no evidence is available to suggest the exact ROM of the shoulder joint in this population. Therefore, this study sought to determine the degree of motion of the shoulder joint in three planes during different activities. Methods Five subjects with rotator cuff injuries participated in this study. The motion of the shoulder joints on both the involved and normal sides was assessed by a motion analysis system while performing forward abduction (task 1), flexion (task 2), and forward flexion (task 3). The OpenSIM software program was used to determine the ROM of the shoulder joints on both sides. The difference between the ranges of motion was determined using a two-sample t-test. Results The ROMs of the shoulder joint in task 1 were 93.5°±16.5°, 72.1°±2.6°, and 103.9°±25.7° for flexion, abduction, and rotation, respectively, on the normal side and 28°±19.8°, 31°±31.56°, and 48°±33.5° on the involved side (p0.05). Conclusions Those with rotator cuff arthropathy have functional limitations due to muscle weakness and paralysis, especially during the vertical reaching task. However, although these individuals have decreased ROM for transverse reaching tasks, the reduction was not significant.

Keywords

• rotator cuff paralysis
• kinematic
• joint movements