Shoulder Biomechanics

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The shoulder girdle links the upper extremity to the trunk. Working with the elbow, it allows the hand to be positioned in space. It needs a high level of structural protection and functional control. The biomechanics of the shoulder are quite complex. Movement involves a complex interaction of static and dynamic stabilisers and free and coordinated motion between all four joints.

Shoulder Complex Structure

The shoulder complex (shoulder girdle) consists of four joints: glenohumeral (GHJ), acromioclavicular (ACJ), sternoclavicular (SCJ), scapulothoracic joint (STJ). Some individuals also have a coracoclavicular joint (CCJ). These joints need to have free motion and coordinated action, and motion occurs in all of them with any significant arm movement.

Sternoclavicular Joint

The sternoclavicular joint and stabilising structures.

Main article: Sternoclavicular Joint Anatomy

The SCJ is formed by the articulations of the proximal clavicle with the clavicular notch of the manubrium and with the cartilage of the first rib. It is a saddle shaped joint with a fibrocartilaginous disc.

Stability of the SCJ is provided by very strong ligaments, including the sternoclavicular, costoclavicular, and interclavicular ligaments, as well as by the disc, capsule, and muscular attachments. The costoclavicular ligament provides the principal support.

The SCJ provides the major axis of rotation for motion of the clavicle and scapula. The clavicle is able to move in three degrees of freedom.

• Elevation/Depression: Elevation refers to superior clavicle movement, and depression refers to inferior clavicle movement. This occurs between the clavicle and the meniscus. The range of motion is approximately 30 to 40 degrees.
• Protraction/Retraction: Protraction refers to anterior movement of the clavicle, and retraction refers to posterior movement of the clavicle. This occurs between the manubrium and the meniscus. The range of motion is approximately 30 to 35 degrees
• Rotation: The clavicle can rotate anteriorly and posteriorly along its long axis. The range of motion is approximately 40 to 50 degrees.

The close-packed position is with maximal shoulder elevation.

Acromioclavicular Joint

Left shoulder: acromioclavicular joint, and anterior ligaments

Main article: Acromioclavicular Joint Anatomy

The ACJ if formed by the articulation of the acromion process of the scapula with the distal clavicle. It is an irregular diarthrodial joint and frequently has a fibrocartilaginous disc. Stability is provided by the coracoclavicular ligaments. There are many variations of the ACJ.

It is able to move in all three planes. Rotation occurs at the ACJ during arm elevation. The close-packed position is with abduction of the humerus to 90 degrees.

Coracoclavicular Joint

This is an anomalous joint formed at the junction of the coracoid process of the scapula and the inferior surface of the clavicle. They are connected by the coracoclavicular ligament. The prevalence is approximately 10%. Some texts describe this structure as normally being a syndesmosis that doesn't permit much movement.

Glenohumeral Joint

Anterior view of the right shoulder rotator cuff muscles

Posterior view of the right shoulder rotator cuff muscles

Main article: Glenohumeral Joint Anatomy

The GHJ is the synovial ball-and-socket articulation between the humeral head and the glenoid fossa of the scapula. The GHJ is the most dynamic and mobile joint in the body.

The head of the GHJ is almost hemispherical and only 25-30% of the surface is in contact with the glenoid fossa. The glenoid fossa also has a less curved shape compared to the humeral head, and this allows for sliding movements.

Coronal section of the shoulder showing some of the features described in the text.

The shoulder joint is reliant on ligamentous and muscular structures for stability. Stability is provided by static and dynamic components. These components restrain the humeral head and keep it in the glenoid fossa. The close-packed position is with the humerus abducted and externally rotated.

Passive Stabilisers

The passive static stabilisers include the articular surface, glenoid labrum, joint capsule, and ligaments. The articular cartilage is thicker peripherally and the joint is fully sealed providing negative pressure to resist dislocation at low forces.

The glenoid labrum is a dense fibrous and fibrocartilagenous tissue that encircles the glenoid fossa. It receives support from the surrounding glenohumeral ligaments and biceps brachii tendon. It is triangular in cross-section. The function is to deepen the fossa and add stability to the joint. The contact area is increased to 75% and the concavity is increased by 5mm to a total of 9mm.

The joint capsule has around twice the volume of the humeral head. It is loose in mid-range and tightens in various extreme ranges. E.g. in extreme abduction and external rotation the inferior capsule tightens. In flexion and internal rotation the anterosuperior capsule is tightened.

The ligaments are also part of the static stabilisers.

• Glenhohumeral ligaments: There are several ligaments that reinforce and merge with the glenohumeral joint capsule: superior, middle, and inferior glenohumeral ligaments on the anterior side. They prevent anteiror displacement of the humeral head, and tighten with external rotation.
• Coracohumeral ligament: On the superior side there is the coracohumeral ligament. The coracohumeral ligament is tight with arm adduction and resists inferior translation of the humeral head. In arm movements it resists posterior translation of the humeral and supports the weight of the arm.

Dynamic Stabilisers

Dynamic stabilisation mainly occurs in mid-range. It is provided by the muscles that contract in a coordinated manner to pull the humeral head towards 1-2mm of the centre of the glenoid fossa. Prior to motion of the humerus, tension is developed in the rotator cuff and biceps tendons, increasing stability. With asymmetric contraction, the humeral head can be moved to the desired position. They also rotate and depress the humeral head during arm elevation keeping it in position.

The tendons of the four rotator cuff muscles join the joint capsule and form a collagenous cuff around the GHJ surrounding the posterior, superior, and anterior sides. The posterior rotator cuff muscles provide posterior stability. The subscapularis provides anterior stability and contributes to internal rotation. The fibres of the rotator cuff muscles mingle with one another increasing their tension and functional power.

The long head of biceps brachii restrains anterior and superior humeral head translation. Deltoid and other scapulothoracic muscles position the scapula in a position to maximise stability of the GHJ.

Support Overview

Anterior shoulder joint: support is provided by the capsule, glenoid labrum, glenohumeral ligaments, capsular reinforcements, coracohumera ligament, subscapularis fibres, and pectoralis major. The muscles merge with the joint capsule. The coracohumeral and the middle glenohumeral ligaments support and hold up the relaxed arm; and support the arm through abduction, external rotation, and extension.

Posterior shoulder joint: support is provided by the capsule, glenoid labrum, and muscle fibres of teres minor and infraspinatus. The muscles also blend with the capsule.

Superior shoulder joint: support is provided by the glenoid labrum, coracohumeral ligament, overlying muscles. Supraspinatus and long head of biceps brachii reinforce the capsule. Overlying the supraspinatus is the subacromial bursa and coracoacromial ligament forming an arch underneath the ACJ.

Inferior shoulder joint: has minimal reinforcement by the capsule and long head of triceps brachii.

Scapulothoracic Joint

The STJ refers to the region between the anterior scapula and the thoracic wall. It is not a bone to bone connection but rather a physiologic joint. The scapula rests on the serratus anterior and subscapularis.

The STJ has two major functions

1. Range of motion increase: It increases the total range of motion beyond the 120 degrees generated in the GHJ. There is 1 degree of scapulothoracic elevation for every 2 degrees of glenohumeral elevation.
2. Large lever for scapula muscles: The size and shape of the scapula means that small muscles can provide enough torque to be effective.

Seventeen muscles attach to or originate from the scapula. They include the levator scapula, trapezius, rhomboids, serratus anterior, pectoralis minor, and subclavius. They provide the following functions:

1. Scapula stabilisation: they turn the scapula into a rigid base. For example the levator scapula, trapezius, and rhomboids stabilise the shoulder against added weight when lifting.
2. Movement facilitation: they position the glenohumeral joint in an appropriate position. In overhand throwing the rhomboids contract to bring the shoulder posteriorly during the preparatory phase of the throw.

The scapula moves along the thorax due to ACJ and SCJ movements. The total range of motion of the STJ is approximately 60 degrees of motion for 180 degrees of arm abduction or flexion. About 65% of this range occurs at the SCJ, and 35% at the ACJ. The clavicle functions as a crank on the scapula as it elevates and rotates to elevate the scapula.

The scapula has the following movements:

• Protraction or abduction, and retraction or adduction: This refers to the scapula moving anteriorly and posteriorly about a vertical axis. This occurs as the acromion moves on the meniscus and as the scapula rotates around the medial coracoclavicular ligament. The range is 30-50 degrees.
• Upward and downward rotation: This refers to the base of the scapula swinging laterally and medially in the frontal plane. The range is around 60 degrees
• Elevation and depression: This refers to movement of the scapula up and down. This occurs at the ACJ. The range is about 30 degrees.

The position of the clavicle also plays a role in scapula movement. The SCJ movements are opposite to the ACJ movements for elevation, depression, protraction, and retraction; but not for rotation. E.g. with elevation at the ACJ, there is depression at the SCJ.

Bursae

Bursae of the shoulder joint: (1) subacromial-subdeltoid bursa, (2) subscapular recess, (3) subcoracoid bursa, (4) coracoclavicular bursa, (5) supra-acromial bursa and (6) medial extension of subacromial-subdeltoid bursa.

There are several bursae that reduce friction between layers of tissue and these include the subscapularis, subcoracoid, and subacromial bursae. The most well known, the subacromial bursa, sits in the subacromial space between the acromion and the coracoacromial ligament above and the glenohumeral joint below. It cushions the supraspinatus from the overlying acromion. The subscapularis and subcoracoid bursae are sometimes merged. They reduce friction of the superficial fibres of subscapularis against the neck of the scapula, the head of the humerus, and the coracoid process.

Movements of the Shoulder Complex

The shoulder can move in the following ranges:

• Flexion/Extension: The arm has a range of around 165° to 180° of flexion to approximately 30° to 60° of hyperextension in the sagittal plane. Flexion range is reduced with a position of external rotation; in maximal external rotation, flexion is only 30°.
• Translation: Sliding movements also occur. During passive flexion there is anterior translation, and with passive extension there is posterior translation of the humeral head on the glenoid fossa.
• Abduction/Adduction: Abduction range is 150° to 180°. Abduction is reduced by internal rotation; in maximal internal rotation, abduction is only 60°. In adduction, the arm can continue past neutral to approximately 75° of hyperadduction across the body
• Internal/External Rotation: The total range of rotation is 120° to 180° combining internal rotation of 60° and external rotation of 90°. In abduction, rotation is constrained; in 90° of abduction, rotation is only 90°
• Horizontal Flexion/Extension, Adduction/Abduction: The range is 135° of horizontal flexion or adduction and 45° of horizontal extension or abduction

Most commonly motion of the humerus involves some motion of all shoulder joints. However some amount of GHJ motion can occur while the others are stabilised.

The scapulohumeral rhythm refers to the coordination of scapular and humeral movements. This rhythm allows a greater range of motion at the shoulder than if the scapula was a fixed structure. During the first 90 degrees of arm elevation (in all planes), the clavicle is also elevated at the SCJ, and rotation occurs at the ACJ.