Search

Context: The scapular retraction exercises are widely used among clinicians to balance the activity of the scapular muscles as well as the rotator cuff muscles in different shoulder abduction positions. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between scapular (middle and upper trapezius) and shoulder muscles (middle deltoid and infraspinatus) activation level differences and acromiohumeral distance changes during shoulder abduction with scapular retraction. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: University research laboratory. Participants: Nineteen asymptomatic individuals were included (mean [SD]: age = 22.4 [1.8] y). Main Outcome Measure: The acromiohumeral distance was measured at 0° and 90° shoulder abduction when the scapula was in nonretracted and retracted position with ultrasound imaging. The relationship between muscle activation level changes and acromiohumeral distance difference was analyzed with the Pearson correlation test. Results: Middle trapezius muscle activity change correlated with acromiohumeral distance difference (r =.55, P =.02) from 0° to 90° shoulder abduction when scapula was retracted. For both nonretracted and retracted scapular positions, no correlations were found between middle deltoid, infraspinatus, and upper trapezius muscle activity changes with acromiohumeral distance differences during shoulder abduction (P >.05). Conclusions: Active scapular retraction exercise, especially focusing on the middle trapezius muscle activation, seems to be an effective treatment option to optimize the acromiohumeral distance during shoulder abduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of manual therapy with exercise to kinesiotaping with exercise for patients with subacromial impingement syndrome. Methods: Randomized clinical before and after trial was used. Fifty-four patients diagnosed as having subacromial impingement syndrome who were referred for outpatient treatment were included. Eligible patients (between 30 and 60 years old, with unilateral shoulder pain) were randomly allocated to 2 study groups: kinesiotaping with exercise (n = 28) or manual therapy with exercise (n = 26). In addition, patients were advised to use cold packs 5 times per day to control for pain. Visual analog scale for pain, Disability of Arm and Shoulder Questionnaire for function, and diagnostic ultrasound assessment for supraspinatus tendon thickness were used as main outcome measures. Assessments were applied at the baseline and after completing 6 weeks of related interventions. Results: At the baseline, there was no difference between the 2 group characteristics (P > .05). There were significant differences in both groups before and after treatment in terms of pain decrease and improvement of Disability of Arm and Shoulder Questionnaire scores (P < .05). No difference was observed on ultrasound for tendon thickness after treatment in both groups (P > .05). The only difference between the groups was at night pain, resulting in favor of the kinesiotaping with exercise group (P < .05). Conclusion: For the group of subjects studied, no differences were found between kinesiotaping with exercise and manual therapy with exercise. Both treatments may have similar results in reducing pain and disability in subacromial impingement in 6 weeks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate the sonographic characteristics, functional aspects and life quality of a group of adolescent patients 2 years after having been diagnosed with Osgood-Schlatter disease and compare them with an age-matched healthy control group. Methods: The study was conducted on eighteen Osgood-Schlatter patients with unilateral involvement and 14 age-matched healthy controls. The Flaviis classification and patellar tendon characteristics were observed using a GE Logiq 9 scanner. Broad and vertical jump tests were used for jumping performance. The coordination, proprioception, strength and endurance functions were assessed with the Functional Squat System. For the quality of life, the SF-36 questionnaire was used. The Wilcoxon test for the patients' initial and second-year assessment and Mann-Whitney U test for the comparison between the patient and control groups were used. Results: By the end of second year, 38.9 % of the patients had totally recovered. The patellar tendon lengthened, distal diameter and distal area of the tendon had lessened, and no significant difference was observed between patient and control groups (n.s). Improvements were detected for the bilateral broad jump test scores, the quality of life and coordination of the patients after 2 years ( p < 0.05). The average power of endurance and the total work of strength were significantly higher in control group ( p < 0.05). Conclusions: According to the sonography results 2 years after diagnosis, nearly half of the patients had totally recovered. Coordination was the only parameter that improved over the 2-year period. The patient group strength and endurance function remained lower than the control group. Level of evidence: III. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Using sonographic findings to test the diagnostic accuracy of impingement versus tendon palpation tests in Neer stage I and II subacromial impingement syndrome cases and examine their clinical potential. Methods: Neer and Hawkins impingement tests and rotator cuff tendon palpation tests followed by bilateral shoulder sonography were conducted on 69 patients with a clinical diagnosis of unilateral subacromial impingement. Results: The Neer and Hawkins tests had 74 and 62 % accuracy (sensitivity 80 and 67 %, and specificity 52 and 47 %, respectively) in comparison to 79 and 62 % accuracy rates for supraspinatus and biceps tendon palpation tests (sensitivity 92 and 41 %, and specificity 41 and 48 %, respectively). Overall, the palpation tests scored better than impingement tests in the diagnosis of Neer stage I and II subacromial impingement syndrome. No tendinosis or tear was noted in patients with negative findings in the supraspinatus palpation tests (sensitivity 100 %, specificity 21 %). Conclusion: Palpation tests for supraspinatus and biceps tendons have a slightly higher accuracy than the impingement tests, and if tenderness does not exist then supraspinatus tendinopathy can be ruled out. These findings warrant the use of palpation tests in a routine physical examination for tendinopathy. Level of evidence: I. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]