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How does computed tomography inform our understanding of shoulder kinematics? A structured review

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Abstract

The objective of this structured review was to review how computed tomography (CT) scanning has been used to measure the kinematics of the shoulder. A literature search was conducted using Evidence-based Medicine Reviews (Embase) and PubMed. In total, 29 articles were included in the data extraction process. Forty percent of the studies evaluated healthy participants’ shoulder kinematics. The glenohumeral joint was the most studied, followed by the scapulothoracic, acromioclavicular, and sternoclavicular joints. Three-dimensional computed tomography (3DCT) and 3DCT with biplane fluoroscopy are the two primary imaging techniques that have been used to measure shoulder joints’ motion under different conditions. Finally, many discrepancies in the reporting of the examined motions were found. Different authors used different perspectives and planes to report similar motions, which results in confusion and misunderstanding of the actual examined motion. The use of 3DCT has been widely used in the examination of shoulder kinematics in a variety of populations with varying methods employed. Future work is needed to extend these methodologies to include more diverse populations, to examine the shoulder complex as a whole, and to standardize their reporting of motion examined to make study to study comparisons possible.

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Abbreviations

2D:

Two-dimensional

3D:

Three-dimensional

CT:

Computed tomography

3DCT:

Three-dimensional computed tomography

4DCT:

Four-dimensional computed tomography

ISB:

International Society of Biomechanics

6 DoF:

six degrees of freedom

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Engineering, School of Biomedical Engineering, Western University, London, Canada

    Baraa Daher, James Hunter & Emily A. Lalone

  2. Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, The University of Western Ontario, Thompson Engineering Building, Room 353, London, ON, N6A 5B9, Canada

    Baraa Daher, James Hunter & Emily A. Lalone

  3. Bone and Joint Institute, Western University, London, Canada

    Baraa Daher, George S. Athwal & Emily A. Lalone

  4. Department of Surgery, Western University, London, Canada

    George S. Athwal & Emily A. Lalone

  5. Roth|McFarlane Hand and Upper Limb Centre, St. Joseph’s Health Care, London, ON, Canada

    George S. Athwal & Emily A. Lalone

  6. Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada

    George S. Athwal & Emily A. Lalone

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  1. Baraa Daher
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  2. James Hunter
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  3. George S. Athwal
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Contributions

BD: literature review, data extraction, data analysis, and manuscript writing; JH: data revision and data organization; GA: project supervision, manuscript reviewing and revising, and resource to clinical gaps and knowledge; EL: project supervision, literature review, concept and design, manuscript reviewing and revising, and approving the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Emily A. Lalone.

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Daher, B., Hunter, J., Athwal, G.S. et al. How does computed tomography inform our understanding of shoulder kinematics? A structured review. Med Biol Eng Comput 61, 967–989 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11517-022-02755-1

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