Development of a single-vertebra image-based technique to quantify shoulder kinematics using four-dimensional computed tomography

ABSTRACT

This paper introduces and validates a new technique for analysing six degrees-of-freedom shoulder kinematics using four-dimensional computed tomography (4DCT), which uses a single vertebra to reference thoracic motion. Differences between the vertebra and International Society of Biomechanics (ISB) torso coordinate systems had an average RMSE of 11.6º and no statistical differences were found regarding range of motion. The errors associated with repeated analysis ranged from 0.2 mm to 3.4 mm, and 0.9º to 1.1º. Overall, the technique has been shown to be repeatable, and using a single vertebra is comparable to using the ISB torso coordinate system.

KEYWORDS:

• Kinematics
• shoulder
• CT
• 4DCT

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the NSERC Discovery 2017 Grant.

Notes on contributors

James Hunter

James Hunter completed his BEng at the University of Guelph specializing in biomedical engineering. He is now a PhD candidate in the Biomedical Engineering department at Western University. His research utilizes four-dimensional computed tomography to analyze in vivo shoulder kinematics with the goal of improving understanding of shoulder biomechanics in healthy and pathological populations.

Ting-Yim Lee

Ting-Yim Lee is a scientist with the Lawson Health Research Institute’s Imaging Program, an Imaging Scientist at the Robarts Research Institute, a Professor at the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, and a Medical Physicist at St. Joseph’s Health Care London. Dr. Lee’s research program focuses on transforming the way clinicians diagnose by developing the next phase of CT Imaging.

George S. Athwal

George S. Athwal is a clinician scientist and orthopedic surgeon at the Roth|McFarlane Hand and Upper Limb Center and Professor in Surgery at Western University. His area of practice is shoulder and upper extremity reconstruction and trauma. Dr. Athwal has published over 300 scientific articles and 50 book chapters and is an Associate Editor for the Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery and Clinics in Shoulder & Elbow.

Emily A. Lalone

Emily A. Lalone is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering Department at Western University. She specializes in shoulder and upper extremity reconstruction and trauma at the Roth|McFarlane Hand and Upper Limb Centre. Her research interests are both interdisciplinary and translational and involve using research from Biomedical and Mechanical Engineering, Medical Imaging, Orthopedic Surgery and Rehabilitation.