1998 Volume 22 Issue 2 Pages 297-299
[Purpose] This study investigated the suitable trunk positions to relax the muscles of patients with rotator cuff tendon failure during postoperative exercises.
[Patients and Methods] Ten patients with s u rgically treated tear or tendinitis of the rotator cuff were postoperatively evaluated by electromyography. The mean patient age was 51 years. Surface electrodes recorded the activity in the trapezius, the deltoid (anterior, middle, posterior), the pectoralis major, the latissimus dorsi, the biceps, the triceps and the infraspinatus while their arms were passively elevated as much as possible after patients were instructed to relax their muscles. The values of integrated EMGs for each muscle were recorded in the sitting, lateral and supine positions and then compared.
[Results] In the sitting position, the activities in the trapezius and deltoid were high. In the lateral position, the avtivity in the trapezius and middle deltoid decreased but activity in the posterior deltoid and triceps increased in some cases. In the supine position, values of intergrated EGMs for all the muscles decreased compared with those in the sitting position.
[Conclusion] For postoperative exercises for pa tients with rotator cuff tendon failure, relaxation of the muscle around the shoulder can be achieved in the supine position.
