Comparison of scapular local coordinate systems

NIH Public Access Author Manuscript Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon). Author manuscript; available in PMC 2011 June 1.

NIH-PA Author Manuscript

Published in final edited form as: Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon). 2010 June ; 25(5): 415–421. doi:10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2010.01.015.

Comparison of scapular local coordinate systems Paula M Ludewig, PhD, PTa, Daniel R Hassett, PT, Robert F LaPrade, MD, PhDb, Paula R Camargo, PT, MSc, and Jonathan P Braman, MDb aProgram in Physical Therapy, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, The University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA bDepartment

of Orthopaedic Surgery, The University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA

cDepartment

of Physical Therapy, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, SP, Brazil

Abstract NIH-PA Author Manuscript

Background—Our purposes were to compare between the original and current recommended standard methods of three-dimensional scapular rotation descriptions and to examine the prevalence of gimbal-lock for scapular motion during scapular plane abduction. Additionally we compared these standards to an alternative method and a glenoid based description. Methods—Eleven asymptomatic subjects were studied using electromagnetic sensors secured to bone-fixed pins in the scapula and humerus during two repetitions of scapular plane abduction. Anatomical landmarks defined scapular axes. Scapular angular data were analyzed at humerothoracic elevation angles from initial to maximum elevation. Repeated measures ANOVAs were performed for each variable with a significance level of P