An improved quantitative ultrasonographic technique could assess anterior translation of the glenohumeral joint accurately and reliably

Investigation of the limiting factors of shoulder joint complex motion in college baseball players: motion analysis of the humeral head and rotator cuff using ultrasound

Background

The relationship between lower mobility, as measured by the elbow forward translation motion (T-motion) test, a new indicator of shoulder joint complex movement that measures elbow position when both dorsal hands are placed on the iliac crest while in a sitting position, and the parameters calculated by ultrasonography is unknown. The purpose of this study was to investigate the limiting factors of T-motion through motion analysis of the humeral head and rotator cuff muscles using ultrasonography in college baseball players.

Methods

Thirteen college baseball players participated in this cross-sectional study. The shortest distance from the posterior edge of the glenoid to the humeral head was measured in the static and T-motion positions, and the difference was calculated as the humeral head translation. The velocity of the infraspinatus was calculated during shoulder internal/external rotation using the particle image velocimetry method. These parameters were compared between the throwing and nonthrowing sides to examine the limiting factors of T-motion.

Results

This study indicated moderate-to-good reliability for the parameters calculated by ultrasonography. The mean anterior translation distance was significantly greater on the throwing side than on the nonthrowing side (r = 0.56, P = .015). The mean velocity of infraspinatus during internal rotation was significantly lower on the throwing side than on the nonthrowing side (r = 0.51, P = .028).

Conclusion

Increased anterior translation of the humeral head and decreased the velocity of infraspinatus are likely correlated with reduced T-motion mobility in college baseball players. These methods showed potential for physical therapy assessment and intervention to prevent shoulder dysfunction.

Biomechanical and neuromuscular characteristics in patients with traumatic anterior shoulder instability undergoing arthroscopic Bankart repair: a clinical prospective cohort study protocol

INTRODUCTION

Traumatic shoulder dislocation is a common shoulder injury, especially among the young and active population. More than 95% of dislocations are anterior, in which the humeral head is forced beyond the anterior glenoid rim. The injury leads to increased joint laxity and recurrence rates are high. There is evidence that the shoulder biomechanics and neuromuscular control change following dislocation, but the existing literature is scarce, and it remains to be established if and how these parameters are useful in the clinical setting. The aim of this exploratory prospective cohort study is to investigate biomechanical and neuromuscular outcomes in patients with traumatic anterior shoulder instability undergoing arthroscopic Bankart repair, to test the hypothesis that examinations of these characteristics are applicable in the clinical setting to assess shoulder instability.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

This is a prospective multicentre cohort study with repeated measures of 30 patients undergoing arthroscopic Bankart repair. With carefully selected and completely non-invasive examination methods, we will investigate biomechanical and neuromuscular outcomes in the affected shoulders once presurgically and twice post surgically at 6 and 12 months. Patients' contralateral shoulders are investigated once to establish a preinjury level.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The study was approved by the Capital Region Ethics Committee (journal-no: H-21027799) and the Capital Region Knowledge Center for Data Reviews (journal-no: P-2021-842) before patient recruitment began. The study results will be published in international peer-reviewed journals, online and in other relevant media, presented at medical conventions and disseminated to clinicians and patients as appropriate.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT05250388.

The advantages of utilizing different ultrasound imaging techniques on joints of human cadavers in the teaching of anatomy - A scoping review

BACKGROUND

A common approach to define sonoanatomy is a reciprocal exchange of macroscopic and microscopic information in ultrasound imaging. High-resolution ultrasound has been long established and is crucial as an inexpensive and adaptable tool, not just in clinical settings but also while teaching anatomy. Early application of ultrasonography provides medical students with a couple of benefits: they acquire an improved understanding of anatomy and learn how to use it.

METHODS

A comprehensive literature review has been carried out, with relevant studies discovered in the following databases: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, BIOSIS Previews and Web of Science Core Collection. Gray literature was also considered in two different ways: (1) Regarding grey literature databases: National Gray Literature Collection. (2) For PhD theses and dissertations, the databases EThOS and Open Access Theses and Dissertations were screened for relevant studies by combining the keywords used in the search string. The reference lists of all relevant papers were scanned. Search process was performed on January 3rd, 2023. The search string was developed with the aid of and finally checked by a professional librarian. Only ultrasound studies on human cadavers were included, not animals or phantoms. If the studied subject was a joint, the article was included. Only B-Mode ultrasound was included, whereas Elastosonography, Doppler sonography and quantitative approaches including among others sound speed, backscatter attenuation were excluded. Intravascular, intraosseous, intraarticular, and three-dimensional or four-dimensional ultrasonography were also eliminated from the analysis. All appropriate information comprising articles, PhD theses, dissertations and chapters in textbooks were considered. There were solely English and German studies covered. There was no additional restriction on the publishing year. The included studies' general characteristics and ultrasound techniques were taken from them and examined. Using VOS viewer, a keyword analysis was also carried out.

RESULTS

142 of the 8899 results that were returned by the search satisfied the requirements. With a quarter of the included studies, the knee joint was the most extensively studied joint, followed by the elbow joint (10.6%) and the shoulder joint (9.2%). The methodological analysis includes 125 studies. Both the sample size and the ultrasonographer's qualifications were diverse. The probe position and the ultrasound method were precisely documented so that a reader could duplicate them in about three-quarters of the included studies (72.8%).

CONCLUSION

The current study, in our perspective, is the first scoping review to screen ultrasound studies on human cadaver joints. A heterogeneous field was shown by the methodological investigation. We suggest using a uniform method for conducting and presenting ultrasound examinations in future studies.

Ultrasonographic Assessment of Glenohumeral Joint Stability Immediately After Arthroscopic Bankart-Bristow Procedure

Background:

The changes in glenohumeral joint stability after surgery in a clinical setting are yet unknown.

Purpose/Hypothesis:

This study aimed to compare the anterior humeral head translation between pre- and postsurgical conditions using ultrasonography. It was hypothesized that ultrasonographic assessment would reveal decreased anterior translation.

Study Design:

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods:

A total of 27 patients (24 male, 3 female; mean age, 24.1 ± 9.7 years) with anterior shoulder instability were studied prospectively. All the patients underwent the arthroscopic Bankart-Bristow procedure under general anesthesia, and ultrasonographic evaluation was performed before and immediately after surgery. The forearm was fixed with an arm positioner in the beach-chair position, and the ultrasonographic transducer was located at the posterior part of the shoulder to visualize the humeral head and glenoid rim at the level of interval between the infraspinatus tendon and teres minor tendon. The upper arm was drawn anteriorly with a 40-N force at 0°, 45°, and 90° of shoulder abduction with neutral rotation. The distance from the posterior edge of the glenoid to that of the humeral head was measured using ultrasonography with and without anterior force. Anterior translation was defined by subtracting the distance with anterior force from the distance without anterior force.

Results:

The humeral head position was translated posteriorly immediately after surgery in all patients. Anterior translation decreased significantly after surgery at 45° (7.7 ± 4.3 vs 5.8 ± 2.0 mm; P = .031) and 90° (8.9 ± 3.4 vs 6.1 ± 2.2 mm; P < .001) of abduction, whereas there was no difference between pre- and postsurgical translation at 0° of abduction (4.9 ± 2.3 vs 4.0 ± 2.1 mm, P = .089).

Conclusion:

Ultrasonographic assessment immediately after a Bankart-Bristow procedure showed the humeral head was translated posteriorly relative to the glenoid at 0°, 45°, and 90° of abduction. The surgery also decreased anterior translation in response to an anteriorly directed force at 45° and 90° of abduction.

Ultrasound Assessment of Anterior Humeral Head Translation in Patients With Anterior Shoulder Instability: Correlation With Demographic, Radiographic, and Clinical Data

Background:

Ultrasonography can be used to quantitatively assess anterior humeral head translation (AHHT) at different degrees of shoulder abduction. Risk factors for recurrent shoulder instability have been identified.

Hypothesis:

It was hypothesized that the number of dislocations or glenoid or humeral bone loss would be associated with more AHHT as measured using ultrasound.

Study Design:

Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

A total of 39 patients who underwent surgery for anterior shoulder instability were prospectively studied. Ultrasound assessment of AHHT was performed immediately after general anesthesia was induced. The upper arm was placed at 0°, 45°, and 90° of abduction, and a 40-N anterior force was applied to the proximal third of the arm. The distance from the posterior edge of the glenoid to that of the humeral head was measured at each abduction angle using ultrasound with and without a 40-N anterior force, and the AHHT was calculated. The differences in translation at each shoulder angle were compared. Additionally, the authors investigated the association between AHHT and demographic, radiographic, and clinical data.

Results:

Compared with the AHHT at 0° of abduction (5.29 mm), translation was significantly larger at 45° of abduction (8.90 mm; P < .01) and 90° of abduction (9.46 mm; P < .01). The mean translation was significantly larger in female patients than in male patients at all degrees of abduction (P ≤ .036 for all). There was no correlation between AHHT at any abduction angle and number of dislocations, clinical data, or radiographic data (including bone loss).

Conclusion:

Ultrasound assessment of AHHT showed larger amounts of laxity at 45° and 90° than at 0° of abduction. Anterior glenohumeral laxity was greater in female than male patients. Glenoid or humeral bone loss did not correlate with AHHT, thereby clarifying that bone loss has no direct effect on measurements of capsular laxity in neutral rotation.