Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “SHOULDER”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 595 records · Page 33Linked to original sources

Adhesive capsulitis of shoulder and treatment with protease inhibitors in patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection: report of 8 cases.

OBJECTIVE: To describe our experience with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected patients receiving protease inhibitor therapy who presented with adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder. METHODS: Between July 1996 and December 1999, 8 HIV-infected patients (7 male) treated with protease inhibitors who presented with adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder were retrospectively identified. Diagnosis of adhesive capsulitis relied on clinical features including shoulder pain and both active and passive restricted range of motion (ROM). All available clinical and radiographic data were reviewed. RESULTS: Onset of symptoms was insidious, and at presentation, patients complained of shoulder pain, which was bilateral in 4 of the 8 cases. Physical examination showed global restriction of active and passive ROM of the glenohumeral joint. The mean delay between initiation of HIV protease inhibitors and onset of shoulder pain was 14 months (range 2 to 36). The protease inhibitor therapy always included indinavir. No underlying condition associated with secondary adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder, including shoulder trauma, diabetes mellitus, thyroid disease, pulmonary or cardiac diseases could be identified. In all 8 patients, despite continuation of therapy with indinavir, both shoulder pain and restricted ROM completely resolved, after a mean disease course of 7.4 months. CONCLUSION: Adhesive capsulitis of shoulder seems to be a new adverse event of HIV protease inhibitor therapy. In all reported cases, patients were treated with indinavir. Further observations will be necessary to confirm adhesive capsulitis as a side effect.

Adult↗

Pitfalls in management of shoulder dystocia with occiput-posterior position.

BACKGROUND: The protocol for shoulder dystocia assumes an anterior shoulder entrapped above the pubic symphysis. If the shoulders lie in a different position, a different strategy is required. Such a situation can occur in shoulder dystocia with an occipito-posterior position. CASE: An operative vaginal delivery in a nulliparous woman resulted in a shoulder dystocia with the head in the occipito-posterior position, and the usual maneuvers were unsuccessful. The shoulders were transverse and after being manipulated into the oblique plane, an atraumatic vaginal delivery resulted. CONCLUSION: In the rare situation of an occipito-posterior shoulder dystocia, the shoulders may be in the transverse position. This situation can be addressed by manipulating the shoulders and by making an episiotomy to facilitate the maneuver. If unsuccessful, cephalic replacement may be an option.

Adult↗

Functional anatomy of the shoulder.

OBJECTIVE: Movements of the human shoulder represent the result of a complex dynamic interplay of structural bony anatomy and biomechanics, static ligamentous and tendinous restraints, and dynamic muscle forces. Injury to 1 or more of these components through overuse or acute trauma disrupts this complex interrelationship and places the shoulder at increased risk. A thorough understanding of the functional anatomy of the shoulder provides the clinician with a foundation for caring for athletes with shoulder injuries. DATA SOURCES: We searched MEDLINE for the years 1980 to 1999, using the key words "shoulder," "anatomy," "glenohumeral joint," "acromioclavicular joint," "sternoclavicular joint," "scapulothoracic joint," and "rotator cuff." DATA SYNTHESIS: We examine human shoulder movement by breaking it down into its structural static and dynamic components. Bony anatomy, including the humerus, scapula, and clavicle, is described, along with the associated articulations, providing the clinician with the structural foundation for understanding how the static ligamentous and dynamic muscle forces exert their effects. Commonly encountered athletic injuries are discussed from an anatomical standpoint. CONCLUSIONS/RECOMMENDATIONS: Shoulder injuries represent a significant proportion of athletic injuries seen by the medical provider. A functional understanding of the dynamic interplay of biomechanical forces around the shoulder girdle is necessary and allows for a more structured approach to the treatment of an athlete with a shoulder injury.

Journal Article↗

Joint fluid enhancement at MRI of the glenohumeral joint with intravenous injection of gadodiamide in standard and triple dose: a prospective comparative study of stable and unstable shoulders.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the joint fluid enhancement at MRI of unstable and stable glenohumeral joints after intravenous administration of different doses of gadodiamide. DESIGN AND PATIENTS: Fourteen patients with unilateral anterior shoulder instability and six healthy controls had both shoulders examined on two occasions using either a standard dose (0.1 mmol/kg) or a triple dose (0.3 mmol/kg) of gadodiamide in an open MRI magnet (0.2 T). RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The joint fluid enhancement in the unstable shoulders was on average 134% following the lower dose and 182% for the triple dose, whereas corresponding values in the stable shoulder in the same individuals were 69% and 142%, and (65% and 159%) in the healthy controls. Enhancement of the joint fluid was higher after the triple dose than after the standard dose in both the unstable shoulders (P < 0.0001) and the controls (P < 0.0005). Compared with the stable controls enhancement in the unstable shoulders was higher for the lower dose (P < 0.0001) while there was no significant difference between the groups following the higher dose. The improved enhancement following the higher dose was especially evident in stable shoulders, while the lower dose was found satisfactory for unstable shoulders.

Adolescent↗

Quasi-static analysis of muscle forces in the shoulder mechanism during wheelchair propulsion.

During wheelchair propulsion the largest net joint moments and net joint powers are generated around the shoulder. The analysis of the contribution of arm- and shoulder muscles to the joint moments could explain the low efficiency of wheelchair propulsion. Basically, it is assumed that a large magnitude of muscle activity will be needed to stabilize the shoulder. In addition, the muscular requirements for the minimization of negative power are assumed to be of importance. For such an analysis an inverse dynamic model is required. To utilize an inverse dynamic model of the shoulder mechanism, the trajectories of the upper extremity bones are needed. Since at this stage, dynamic non-invasive measurement techniques of scapular motion are not available, the aim of this study was to record the three-dimensional position of the scapula in static situations with the help of a palpation technique. Positions of the trunk, shoulder girdle and upper extremity, and the surface EMG of ten muscles were recorded simultaneously with forces on the rim on a stationary wheelchair ergometer. Four healthy male subjects participated in the experiment. Five hand positions on the rim and five different load levels per hand position were measured for each subject. A previously developed musculoskeletal model of the shoulder mechanism (Van der Helm, 1994a, J. Biomechanics 27(5) 551-569) was used to calculate muscle forces in an inverse static simulation. The measured EMG and the calculated muscle forces compared well except for three muscles. The moment balance between external sources and muscles around each joint axis of the shoulder mechanism is discussed. Results of the experiment indicate that large muscle contributions are needed for joint stabilization. The experimental results on the scapular motions will, in combination with experimental data collected under dynamic conditions, be used for application of the model to dynamic situations. It is concluded that the musculoskeletal model of the shoulder mechanism can be very useful in studies to determine the contribution of muscles and the mechanical load on morphological structures.

Adult↗

Shoulder joint kinetics and pathology in manual wheelchair users.

BACKGROUND: Manual wheelchair users rely heavily on their upper limbs for independent mobility which likely leads to a high prevalence of shoulder pain and injury. The goal of this study was to examine the relationship between shoulder forces and moments experienced during wheelchair propulsion and shoulder pathology. METHODS: Kinetic and kinematic data was recorded from 33 subjects with paraplegia as they propelled their wheelchairs at two speeds (0.9 and 1.8 m/s). Shoulder joint forces and moments were calculated using inverse dynamic methods and shoulder pathology was evaluated using a physical exam and magnetic resonance imaging scan. FINDINGS: Subjects who experienced higher posterior force (Odds Ratio (OR)=1.29, P=0.03), lateral force (OR=1.35, P=0.047), or extension moment (OR=1.35, P=0.09) during propulsion were more likely to exhibit coracoacromial ligament edema. Individuals who displayed larger lateral forces (OR=4.35, P=0.045) or abduction moments (OR=1.58, P=0.06) were more likely to have coracoacromial ligament thickening. Higher superior forces (OR=1.05, P=0.09) and internal rotation moments (OR=1.61 P=0.02) at the shoulder were associated with increased signs of shoulder pathology during the physical exam. INTERPRETATION: Specific joint forces and moments were related to measures of shoulder pathology. This may indicate a need to reduce the overall force required to propel a wheelchair in order to preserve upper limb integrity. Potential interventions include changes to wheelchair setup, propulsion training, or alternative means of mobility.

Adult↗

The effect of joint instability on latency and recruitment order of the shoulder muscles.

Several shoulder dysfunctions are generally characterized as Shoulder Impingement Syndrome (SIS). Specifically, glenohumeral instability (GI) has been viewed as a primary cause of SIS in young individuals, mainly in overhead athletics. Past studies have associated GI with modifications in latency, recruitment order and/or EMG activity. However, it is not clear if pain and/or joint instability can account for these observed changes. The aim of this investigation was to analyze the effect of glenohumeral instability on the latencies and recruitment order of the superficial muscles of the glenohumeral and scapulothoracic joints in swimmers without pain symptom. Eight individuals with and eight without history of Shoulder Impingement Syndrome performed bilateral and simultaneous shoulder elevations at three different distances. The shoulder kinematics and EMG activities of glenohumeral and scapulothoracic muscles were registered. Results showed that subjects of both groups performed the task with similar latencies and recruitment order of the muscle activities. We conclude that shoulder instability does not necessarily affect the latencies and recruitment order of the shoulder muscles during the elevation of the shoulder in the scapular plane. Pain and other factors may be involved in the kinematics and electromyographic alterations demonstrated in other experiments.

Adult↗

Shoulder electromyography in multidirectional instability.

We studied shoulder muscle activity in multidirectional instability (MDI) and multidirectional laxity (MDL) of the shoulder, our hypothesis being that altered muscle activity plays a role in their pathogenesis. Six muscles (supraspinatus, infraspinatus, subscapularis, anterior deltoid, middle deltoid, and posterior deltoid) were investigated by use of intramuscular dual fine-wire electrodes in 7 normal shoulders, 5 MDL shoulders, and 6 MDI shoulders. Each subject performed 5 types of exercise (rotation in neutral, 45 degrees of abduction, 90 degrees of abduction, flexion/extension, and abduction/adduction) on an isokinetic muscle dynamometer at two rates, 90 degrees /s and 180 degrees /s. After filtering, rectification, and smoothing, the electromyography signal was normalized by using the peak voltage of the movement cycle. In subjects with MDI, compared with normal subjects, activity patterns of the anterior deltoid were different during rotation in neutral and 90 degrees of abduction, whereas those of the middle and posterior deltoid were different during rotation in 90 degrees of abduction. In subjects with MDL, the posterior deltoid showed increased activity compared with normal subjects during adduction. Activity patterns of the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, and subscapularis appeared similar in both groups. Dual fine-wire electromyography offers insight into the complex role of shoulder girdle muscle function in normal movement and in instability. Altered patterns of shoulder girdle muscle activity and imbalances in muscle forces support the theory that impaired coordination of shoulder girdle muscle activity and inefficiency of the dynamic stabilizers of the glenohumeral joint are involved in the etiology of MDI. Interestingly, the abnormalities are in the deltoid rather than the muscles of the rotator cuff.

Adult↗

Shoulder subluxation after stroke: a comparison of four supports.

OBJECTIVE: Shoulder subluxation is a well-known sequela of stroke. This study quantitatively compares the reduction of shoulder subluxation using four supports: the single-strap hemisling, the Bobath roll, the Rolyan humeral cuff sling, and the Cavalier support. DESIGN/SETTING: Anteroposterior shoulder radiographs of 20 consecutive first-time stroke survivors in a freestanding rehabilitation hospital were taken within 6 weeks of stroke onset. Vertical, horizontal, and total asymmetries of glenohumeral subluxation compared with the unaffected shoulders were measured before and after fitting of each support. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Group means were compared to find which supports altered subluxation asymmetries and approximated the unaffected shoulder. Individual data were tallied to detect how often each support best reduced subluxation asymmetries. RESULTS: The single-strap hemisling eliminated the vertical asymmetry of subluxation over the entire study group, but each support corrected the vertical asymmetry best in some subjects (55%, 20%, 40%, and 5%, respectively). The Bobath roll and the Cavalier support produced lateral displacements of the humeral head of the affected shoulder (p = 0.005, 0.004, respectively). The Rolyan humeral cuff sling significantly reduced total subluxation asymmetry (p = 0.008), whereas the single-strap hemisling, Bobath roll, and Cavalier support did not alter total asymmetry (p = 0.091, 0.283, 0.502, respectively). CONCLUSION: When treating shoulder subluxation, several different types of supports should be evaluated to optimize the function of the affected extremity and the reduction of the shoulder subluxation.

Aged↗

Upper extremity overuse injuries in swimming. A discussion of swimmer's shoulder.

Treatment of shoulder pain includes the following: 1. Avoid all painful activities. 2. A 2-week course of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication and ice. 3. Decreased anterior capsule stretching and increased posterior capsule stretching. 4. Increased rotator cuff exercise with emphasis on external rotators. 5. Scapular-positioning muscle exercises and increasing body roll. Shoulder pain can be prevented by the following: 1. Avoid all painful activities, and notify coach of shoulder pain immediately. 2. Do not use nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications or ice on a chronic basis. 3. Spend equal time stretching the posterior and anterior capsules. 4. Perform general rotator cuff exercises. 5. Perform scapular-positioning muscle exercises, with emphasis on body roll. [figure: see text] Shoulder pain in swimmers is common and can be debilitating. Most of the pain is caused by instability, which stems from swimming-specific demands that increase performance but decrease shoulder stability. These sport-specific demands are (1) increased shoulder range of motion, (2) increased internal rotation and adduction strength, and (3) prolonged, fatiguing, shoulder-intensive training. Instability leads to [figure: see text] inflammation and pain and can become a self-perpetuating process. Treatment consists of patient education, cessation of all activities that cause pain, activity modifications to increase shoulder stability, and pharmacologic treatment of the inflammation. In patients who do not improve using this regimen, surgery can be of benefit, either to reduce capsular laxity or to remove chronic inflammation and scar tissue. The patient must be aware of the risk of decreased performance.

Cumulative Trauma Disorders↗

Arthroscopic debridement for dialysis shoulders.

PURPOSE: To arthroscopically treat "dialysis shoulder," severe shoulder pain in patients on long-term hemodialysis. This pain occurs only at rest such as during hemodialysis or while sleeping and is temporarily alleviated by assuming the sitting position or moving the shoulder joint. Limitations in range of motion and pain with overhead activity or the arm in the forward flexed position are not the patient's chief complaints. Although frozen shoulder and impingement syndrome may be observed as complications, pain at rest is the most characteristic. TYPE OF STUDY: Clinical research on arthroscopic debridement to treat dialysis shoulder. METHODS: We performed arthroscopic debridement of 36 dialysis shoulders in 29 patients. Only complete debridement in the glenohumeral joint and subacromial bursa was performed, without invasion to the bone and ligaments. RESULTS: The pain improved in 34 shoulders in 27 patients (94%) a mean of 29.8 months after surgery, showing satisfactory results. In this group, the mean Japan Orthopaedic Surgery Association shoulder score (maximum 100 points) was 66.4 points before surgery but increased to 86.6 points postoperatively, statistically significant by 2-group t test. CONCLUSIONS: We decided before beginning the study that no postoperative rehabilitation would be necessary. There were no complications and no need for further surgery, with all but 2 of the patients being satisfied with their postoperative condition.

Activities of Daily Living↗

A descriptive epidemiological study of shoulder injury in top level English male volleyball players.

The aims of this study were to estimate the prevalence and incidence of shoulder sports injuries, to discover the main shoulder injury, and to survey outcome of treatment or injuries in top level male volleyball athletes. Furthermore, the actions which most commonly cause injuries and the differences of physical characteristics between injured and healthy players were also investigated. Fifty-nine English Volleyball Federation division one athletes were recruited in the 1997/98 and 1998/99 seasons. All subjects completed two different questionnaires; a First recruitment and monthly Follow-up questionnaire throughout the period in question. Twenty-seven of the fifty-nine athletes had a history of shoulder sports injury, with a total of 29 injuries reported. The results of the First recruitment showed that overuse type injuries (19/29) were the main shoulder injuries. Cuff muscle tendinitis was predominant in these injuries (14/29). Furthermore, spiking was the major action during which a shoulder injury (23/29) first occurred. In the follow-up phase the incidences of shoulder chronic injury (or pain), re-injury, and new injury in these twenty-seven players were 3.0, 9.3 and 1.0 injuries/1,000 hours of exposure respectively. The mean duration of chronic injury or pain was 2.3 +/- 1.3 (+/- SD) months. The distribution of history of regular training, between injured and healthy subject groups, was significantly different (p = 0.008). This study has identified rotator cuff muscle/tendon injuries or involved lesions as the main shoulder injuries in top level English male volleyball athletes. These injuries result in prolonged shoulder pain symptoms.

Adult↗

Shoulder arthroplasty for proximal humeral malunions: long-term results.

Between 1976 and 1997, 50 shoulders with proximal humeral malunions in 50 patients were treated with hemiarthroplasty or total shoulder arthroplasty and followed up for a mean of 9 years (range, 2-21 years) or until the time of revision surgery. Of these, 13 had a 4-part malunion, 24 had a 3-part greater tuberosity malunion, 6 had a 2-part greater tuberosity malunion, and 7 had a 2-part head segment malunion. Articular incongruity resulted from an articular surface step-off in 5 shoulders, from osteonecrosis in 19, and from secondary degenerative arthritis in 26. Shoulder arthroplasty resulted in significant pain relief (P <.005). At most recent follow-up, shoulder pain was more intense in patients who had initial operative treatment of their fracture, in those with osteonecrosis, and in those who had arthroplasty less than 2 years after their fracture. Active elevation improved from 65 degrees to 102 degrees on average, and external rotation improved from 12 degrees to 35 degrees on average. There was significantly less postoperative motion in those who had initial operative treatment of their fracture or who underwent tuberosity osteotomy. Of the 24 shoulders undergoing tuberosity osteotomy, 14 healed in good position, 4 had a nonunion develop, 3 had some degree of malunion develop, and in 3 the tuberosity resorbed. On the basis of the Neer result rating, 12 shoulders had an excellent result, 13a satisfactory result, and 25 an unsatisfactory result. Unsatisfactory results occurred in 8 who underwent reoperation with component revision or removal and because of lack of postoperative motion in 14, moderate pain in 2, and patient dissatisfaction in 1. All shoulders with tuberosity nonunion or resorption had an unsatisfactory result.

Arthroplasty↗

Shoulder instability related to epileptic seizures.

Epileptic seizures can cause shoulder dislocation and instability, but a characteristic pattern of instability and structural lesions is not well known. We reviewed 34 shoulders in 26 patients in whom the initial dislocation had been caused by an epileptic seizure. All patients were followed up clinically and radiologically for a mean of 10 years (range, 2-21 years) after initiation of treatment. Thirteen patients (17 shoulders) were treated for anterior instability. A large Hill-Sachs lesion was found 12 times and a large glenoid rim fracture 5 times. There were 12 recurrent and 2 locked dislocations. The recurrence rate after the first repair was 47% (8/17 shoulders). The final overall results at a mean follow-up of 10 years (range, 2-12 years) were good in 12 cases, satisfactory in 2, and unsatisfactory in 2. The reoperation rate was 40%. With skeletal reconstruction, 12 of 13 shoulders were stable at final follow-up. Another 13 patients (17 shoulders) were treated for posterior dislocation. A large reverse Hill-Sachs lesion was observed 13 times and a posterior glenoid rim fracture twice. There were 15 locked but only 2 recurrent dislocations. The recurrence rate after repair was 12% (2/17 shoulders). The final outcome at a mean follow-up of 7 years (range, 2-12 years) was good in 11 shoulders and satisfactory in 6. The reoperation rate was 12%. Anterior and posterior dislocations occurred with equal frequency in this series. Large bony lesions were the hallmark finding in this group of patients. Skeletal reconstruction was necessary to obtain clinical stability, especially in the more difficult-to-treat anterior instability.

Adolescent↗

Percutaneous, intramuscular neuromuscular electrical stimulation for the treatment of shoulder subluxation and pain in chronic hemiplegia: a case report.

This case report describes the first survivor with chronic stroke who was treated with percutaneous, intramuscular neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) for shoulder subluxation and pain. The patient developed shoulder subluxation and pain within 2 mo of his stroke. After discharge from acute inpatient rehabilitation, he developed shoulder and hand pain, which was treated with subacromial bursa steroid injection and ibuprofen with eventual resolution. The patient remained clinically stable until approximately 15 mo after his stroke-when he developed severe shoulder pain associated with shoulder abduction, external rotation, and downward traction. The patient could not tolerate transcutaneous NMES because of the pain of stimulation. At approximately 17 mo post-stroke, the patient's posterior deltoid, middle deltoid, and supraspinatus muscles were percutaneously implanted with intramuscular electrodes. After 6 wk of percutaneous, intramuscular NMES treatment, marked improvements in shoulder subluxation and pain, and modest improvements in activities of daily living and motor function were noted. One year after the onset of treatment, the patient remained pain free, but subluxation had recurred. However, the patient was able to volitionally reduce the subluxation by abducting his shoulder. The patient remained pain free for up to 40 mo after the initiation of percutaneous, intramuscular NMES treatment. This case report demonstrates the feasibility of using percutaneous, intramuscular NMES for treating shoulder subluxation and pain in hemiplegia.

Electric Stimulation Therapy↗

Shoulder impingement in front-crawl swimming: II. Analysis of stroking technique.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the technical causes of shoulder impingement experienced by front-crawl swimmers. METHODS: The shoulder movements exhibited during performance of the front-crawl stroke were measured using three-dimensional videography, and the instances at which each shoulder was experiencing impingement were identified. RESULTS: On average, impingement occurred 24.8% of the stroke time (%ST). In one or more phases of the stroke cycle, each subject experienced impingement in some trials and not in other trials. This suggests that stroke technique, and not just anatomical differences, accounted for individual susceptibility to shoulder impingement. No significant difference was found between the mean values for %ST for slow and fast stroking speeds and for trials with and without hand paddles. Use of a unilateral breathing technique was often associated with a small magnitude of tilt angle (an effect of the scapular elevation/abduction on one side and depression/adduction on the other side) on the breathing side; in such cases a high incidence of shoulder impingement was observed for the shoulder on the ipsilateral side. Swimmers at high risk of experiencing shoulder impingement had three characteristics in their stroking techniques: (a) a large amount of internal rotation of the arm during the pull phase, (b) a late initiation of external rotation of the arm during the recovery phase, and (c) a small amount of tilt angle. CONCLUSIONS: A swimmer should be able to reduce the risk of developing shoulder impingement by altering the technique to eliminate the three characteristics.

Analysis of Variance↗

Shoulder impingement syndrome: relationships between clinical, functional, and radiologic findings.

OBJECTIVE: Although there has been much research about imaging methods for shoulder impingement syndrome, the clinical information and upper limb level of disability have been generally ignored. The purpose of this study was to detect the relationships between clinical, functional, and radiologic variables in patients with shoulder impingement syndrome. DESIGN: A cross-sectional, clinical, and radiologic study was planned and 59 shoulders of 58 consecutive patients waiting for physical therapy because of a clinically suspected shoulder impingement syndrome were included into this study. Comprehensive clinical examination, radiography, shoulder ultrasonography, and magnetic resonance imaging were performed in the same month. RESULTS: Despite the high sensitivities of ultrasonography for diagnosing rotator cuff tears (98.1%) and biceps pathologies (100%), magnetic resonance imaging was superior to ultrasonography in many important shoulder structures such as a glenoid labral tear and subacromial bursal effusion/hypertrophy (P < 0.01). These structures were the determinants of the shoulder's disability measured by disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand questionnaire. CONCLUSION: Ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging had comparable high accuracy for identifying the biceps pathologies and rotator cuff tears. The basic clinical tests had modest accuracy in both disorders. The choice of which imaging test to perform should be based on the patient's clinical information (regarding lesion of glenoid labrum, joint capsule, muscle, and bone), cost, and imaging experience of the radiology department.

Adult↗

Prevalence rates and odds ratios of shoulder-neck diseases in different occupational groups.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the association and impact of occupational exposure and diseases of the shoulder and neck. Prevalence rates, odds ratios, aetiological fractions, and their confidence intervals were computed for pooled and non-pooled data of previous published reports. By comparison with office workers and farmers, dentists had an increased odds ratio for cervical spondylosis (two studies) and for shoulder joint osteoarthrosis. Meat carriers, miners, and "heavy workers" also had significantly higher rates of cervical spondylosis compared with referents. Compared with iron foundry workers, civil servants had a significant odds ratio (4.8) of cervical disc disease and a 0.79 aetiological fraction. Whether this was due to exposure or healthy worker effect was not clear. In four occupational groups with high shoulder-neck load an odds ratio of 4.0 was found for thoracic outlet syndrome with an aetiological fraction of 0.75. Rotator cuff tendinitis in occupational groups with work at shoulder level (two studies) showed an odds ratio of 11 and an aetiological fraction of 0.91. Keyboard operators had an odds ratio of 3.0 for tension neck syndrome (five studies). Unfortunately, owing to the scanty description of the work task, the exposure could be analysed only by job title. Examination of published reports shows clearly that certain job titles are associated with shoulder-neck disorders. High rates and aetiological fractions for rotator cuff tendinitis and tension neck syndrome suggest that preventive measures could be effective. Although job descriptions are brief, the associations noted suggest that highly repetitive shoulder muscle contractions, static contractions, and work at shoulder level are hazardous exposure factors. In reports of cross sectional studies of occupational shoulder-neck disorders presentation of age, exposure, and effect distribution may help for future meta-analysis.

Adult↗