Sonographic evaluation of the axillary artery during simulated overhead throwing arm positions

Abstract Objectives The aim of this study was to determine changes in axillary artery diameter and peak systolic velocity in asymptomatic individuals during upper limb positioning commonly used to assess vascular pathology in athletes. Design Repeated measures observational study. Setting Physiology...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Physical therapy in sport 2008-08, Vol.9 (3), p.126-135
Main Authors: Stapleton, Claire, Herrington, Lee, George, Keith
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Arm - blood supply
Axillary artery
Axillary Artery - diagnostic imaging
Axillary Artery - physiology
Biomechanical Phenomena
Blood Flow Velocity - physiology
Confidence intervals
Diagnosis
Ethics
Female
Humans
Male
Medical imaging
Movement - physiology
Observation
Physical examination
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Physical therapy
Shoulder
Sports - physiology
Sports Medicine
Task Performance and Analysis
Ultrasonography
Veins & arteries
Young Adult
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Abstract Objectives The aim of this study was to determine changes in axillary artery diameter and peak systolic velocity in asymptomatic individuals during upper limb positioning commonly used to assess vascular pathology in athletes. Design Repeated measures observational study. Setting Physiology laboratory. Participants Subjective and objective screening excluded individuals with past, or present, conditions related to neurovascular compression syndromes. Thirty-one subjects (21 females, 10 males; mean age: 25±4 years) were included in the final analysis. Main outcome measures Sonographically determined axillary artery diameter and peak systolic velocity, as well as symptom production, were recorded for a series of 12 randomised arm positions, incorporating varying degrees of abduction, external rotation, and horizontal flexion/extension. Results The majority of arm positions revealed no change in artery diameter and peak systolic velocity. However, at the extreme of abduction, and arm positions incorporating 120° abduction, significant ( p
ISSN:1466-853X
1873-1600
DOI:10.1016/j.ptsp.2008.06.009