Comparison of dynamic ultrasound and stress radiology for assessment of inferior glenohumeral laxity in asymptomatic shoulders

• Published in: Skeletal radiology 2008-02, Vol.37 (2), p.161-168
• Main Authors: Cheng, S. C., Hulse, D., Fairbairn, K. J., Clarke, M., Wallace, W. A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Humans; Imaging; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Joint Instability - diagnosis; Male; Medical sciences; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Nuclear Medicine; Observer Variation; Orthopedics; Osteoarticular system. Muscles; Pathology; Radiodiagnosis. Nmr imagery. Nmr spectrometry; Radiography; Radiology; Reproducibility of Results; Scientific Article; Shoulder Joint - diagnostic imaging; Ultrasonography; Weight-Bearing
• ISSN: 0364-2348; 1432-2161
• DOI: 10.1007/s00256-007-0401-8

Objective To determine the level of agreement between dynamic ultrasound imaging and stress radiography used for the measurement of inferior glenohumeral laxity in asymptomatic shoulders, and to determine the repeatability of the dynamic ultrasound technique. Materials and methods Using a custom-made stress device to apply an inferior displacement force of 90 N, we assessed 20 asymptomatic male subjects for inferior glenohumeral laxity, using stress radiography and dynamic ultrasound. Paired differences between the two methods were evaluated by the 95% limits of agreement method. At a separate session, 19 subjects had inferior glenohumeral laxity assessed by two observers, using dynamic ultrasound. Inter- and intra-observer repeatability was determined for the ultrasound technique. Results The mean [(± standard deviation (SD)] inferior translation was 4.7 ± 4.1 mm by stress radiography and 4.4 ± 2.3 mm by dynamic ultrasound. The 95% limits of agreement showed good agreement between the two methods. The paired difference between the two measurement methods varied with the magnitude of the measurement ( P