Abstract
We evaluated X-ray findings of the shoulder joints in hemiplegic patients and examined the interval change of shoulder subluxations.
There was a significant relationship between acromio-humeral interval (AHI) ratio and descending ratio of the humeral head.
Scoliosis of the thoracic spine was seen in about 40% of the subluxation group and most of them were convex towards the affected side. But there was only one who had an inferior rotation of the scapula. Pain of the shoulder joint was mainly observed in the subluxation group and ROM limitation was also seen more frequently in this group. In the patients who were mildly paralysed (i. e. beyond Brunnstrom's stage III at their first medical examination) and who were recovering of their upper limb function, the incidence of subluxation was reduced.
We concluded that the shoulder subluxation occured in the hemiplegic patients in early months following the attack because of the paralysed shoulder girdle muscle, especially supraspinatus muscle and the weight of the upper limb. This study suggested that positioning and facilitation of the muscles were needed in these hemiplegic patients with shoulder subluxation.
