Shoulder Biomechanics

Kinematics

Four articulations

  • GHJ
  • Scapulothoracic
  • ACJ
  • SCJ

ROM

Can use either Thorax or Scapula as plane of reference

Abduction

  • Elevation in coronal plane
  • Range is 170°
  • ER required to prevent GT impingement
  • Sometimes described in plane of scapula 30° anterior to coronal plane

Flexion

  • Elevation in sagittal plane
  • Range is 170°

Rotation

  • Varies with elevation of arm
  • IR & ER range ~ 90° each

Extension

  • Range is 60°

Adduction

  • Range is 75°

Range ↓ by ~ 3°/decade in Normal population

Glenohum>Glenohumeral Joint

lass="wp-block-heading">Humeral >Humeral headlass="wp-block-list">
  • Nearly hemispherical
  • 1/3 sphere
  • 135° to humeral shaft
  • Retroverted 30° to axis of elbow flexion
  • Glenoid Fo>Glenoid Fossa

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  • SA 1/3 of humeral head
  • Longitudinal ø 75% of head
  • Tranverse ø 60% of head
  • Retroverted 7° to scapula
  • Anteverted 30° to thorax
  • Faces 5° superiorly
  • Glenoid highly congruent to head
    • ~ 1mm diff
  • 2° 1/2 bone & 1/2 cartilage
  • Allows significant movement
  • Makes joint susceptible to instability
  • Stability

    >Stability-block-list">
  • 1. Dynamic/ Static
  • 2. ST/ Muscle/ Bone
  • Includes

    • Glenoid labrum
    • Capsule & GHL & CHL
    • Coracoacromial Arch
    • Rotator Cuff
    • Negative Intra-articular Pressure
    • H²O Cohesion

    Acromioclavicular>Acromioclavicular Joint

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  • Stability 2° Coracoclavicular ligaments
  • Conoid resists 70%
  • Trapezoid resists 18%
  • Meniscus divides joint into two segments ~ Incomplete
  • True diathrodial joint covered in fibrocartilage
  • Movement

    <>Movementez-toc-section" id="Movement-2">Movementez-toc-section" id="Movement">Movements on clavicle in 3 axes

    • Vertical axis around conoid ligament
    • Transverse axis in coronal plane (hinging on trapezoid ligament)
    • Transverse axis in sagittal plane (through ACJ)

    Clavicle axially rotates 40° on forward elevation

    • 35° at SCJ
    • 5° ACJ as scapula rotates as well

    Sternoclavicular Join>Sternoclavicular Joint

    k-heading">Anatomy
    • 1° stabiliser is Costoclavicular ligament
    • Meniscus divides joint into 2

    Movement

    • Costoclavicular ligament acts as fulcrum for gliding motion at joint
    • AP gliding occurs between sternum & meniscus
    • Superior/ Inferior gliding occurs between clavicle & meniscus
    • Clavicle elevates at SCJ during shoulder elevation
    • 4° Rotation/ 10° shoulder elevation from 0° to 90°
    • Clavicle also rotates during shoulder elevation
    • 40° during shoulder range

    Scapulothoracic Articulatio>Scapulothoracic Articulation

    ing">Anatomy
    • Scapula attached to thorax only by SCJ via Clavicle via ACJ
    • Scapulothoracic articulation is bone-muscle-bone articulation
    • Subscapularis & Serratus anterior lie between scapula & thorax

    Movement

    • Ratio of GH:ST movement
    • Average 2:1
    • Varies from 1:1 – 4.3:1
    • Task dependent
    • Ratio changes during range
    • Relatively less ST movement during initial elevation (esp. first 30°)
    • ER of scapula occurs during elevation
    • Associated with ER of humerus
    • 60° of scapular motion possible because
      • Elevation of clavicle of 20° at ACJ & 40° at SCJ
      • Rotation of clavicle of 40°

    Kinetics

    Complex effect>Kineticss acting across shoulder

    Abduction

      Abductioneltoid & supraspinatus act synergistically
    • Equally produce torque
    • Either alone can produce full abduction in nerve block tests
    • Supraspinatus
      • Initiator of abduction & maintains constant 75° line of pull to glenoid
    • Deltoid
      • line of pull improves with abduction ↑ advantage with abduction
    • Hence with cuff tear can maintain 90° abduction, but not obtain it
    • Rest of cuff depress head to resist shear forces of above 2 muscles
    • Scapular Rotation Force Couple
      • During abduction maintains Deltoid & SS at constant length
    • Upper Trapezius, Levator Scapulae & Upper Serratus Anterior act with Lower Trapezius & Lower Serratus Anterior to rotate

    ER

      <>ERInfraspinatus
    • 2° = Teres Minor, Posterior Deltoid

    IR

      IRectoralis Major sternal head, Latissimus Dorsi, Subscapularis, Teres Major

    Loads

      Loads of Abduction
    • Deltoid force is 0.7 W
    • Joint reaction force is 0.9 W

    Anatomical Characteristics of t>Anatomical Characteristics of the Shoulder

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    Glenoid diameter
    AP18-30 mm
    Superior-inferior30-48 mm
    Inclination
    GlenoidAverage 4.2 degrees (-7 to 20 degrees)
    Humeral head30-55 degrees
    Version
    Glenoid1.5 degrees retroversion
    Humeral head0-55 degrees retroversion
    Surface area
    Glenoid4-6 mm
    Humeral head11-19 mm
    Cartilage thickness
    Glenoid2.16 mm
    Humeral head1.44 mm
    Radius of curvature
    Glenoid22-28 mm
    Humeral head23-28 mm
    Humeral offset
    Medial (coronal)4-14 mm
    Head-shaft angle30-55 degrees