A Functional Evaluation of Asymptomatic Shoulder in the Aged

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the function of asymptomatic shoulders in the aged and to investigate the changes of function with aging.
The materials for this study were 474 persons who were older than 65 years. There were 197 males and 277 females with an average age of 73 years (65 to 93). Shoulder pain, active ROM and isometrical muscle strength of abductions were evaluated. Muscle strength was measured by using a Microfet. The relationships between aging and the changes of shoulder function were investigated in the aged with an asymptomatic shoulder.
Thirty-eight m ales (19.3%) and 70 females (25.3%) had some disorder of the shoulder, while 159males and 207 females had no complaints. The average range of anterior elevation of the right shoulder was 158 degrees in males,157 degrees in females, aged from 65 to 69 years old, and significantly decreased with aging. The average strength of abduction of the right shoulder was 86N in males,54N in females, aged from 65 to 69 years old, which also significantly decreased with aging. However, the average range of external rotation and internal rotation did not significantly decrease with aging. The above results applied to the left shoulder.
We discovered the range of active ROM and of muscle strength of a shoulder abduction in the aged with asymptomatic shoulders. The average range of an anterior elevation and muscle strength of an abduction significantly decereased with aging.