Analysis of the Sagittal Motion Posture of the Acromioclavicular Joint Using Image Registration and Axial Angle Representation

Peng Su; Jun-Lin Zhou; Cai Yun; Feng Liu; Yi Zhang

doi:10.2147/IJGM.S302938

Analysis of the Sagittal Motion Posture of the Acromioclavicular Joint Using Image Registration and Axial Angle Representation

Int J Gen Med. 2021 May 20:14:1975-1981. doi: 10.2147/IJGM.S302938. eCollection 2021.

Authors

Peng Su^{1

2}, Jun-Lin Zhou², Cai Yun¹, Feng Liu¹, Yi Zhang¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Orthopaedics, Teaching Hospital of Capital Medical University, Beijing Shijingshan Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
² Department of Orthopedics, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, People's Republic of China.

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to directly and accurately measure the range of motion of the acromioclavicular joint through 3D reconstruction and image registration.

Methods: Thirteen healthy volunteers participated in the study. Computerized tomography (CT) was used to measure the acromioclavicular joint in four different motion poses. The images were integrated using reconstruction and registration technology, and the rotation angle range of the acromioclavicular joint was measured using 3D reconstruction. The measurements were expressed by axial angle representation. The dominant and the non-dominant sides were compared, and the difference in the axial angle of the acromioclavicular joint was compared in different postures.

Results: The difference between the dominant and non-dominant sides in acromioclavicular motion was not significant. In the sagittal motion of the upper limb, the rotation angle of the acromioclavicular joint was greatest in a resting horizontal position, with an average of 26.1°. In this position, 34.6% of flexion and extension movements of the upper limb were completed by the acromioclavicular joint, which was the highest level of engagement. The rotation angle was lowest in the resting posteroinferior position, with an average of 8.2°. In this position, 24.9% of the flexion and extension movements of the upper limb were completed by the acromioclavicular joint.

Conclusion: Combining 3D reconstruction and image registration is a direct and accurate method of measuring the motion of the acromioclavicular joint. The rotational motions of the acromioclavicular joint are bilaterally symmetrical and can be used as a reference for comparative study. The maximum range of motion of the acromioclavicular joint during rotation was found in the resting horizontal position. The clinical examination and post-treatment evaluation of the acromioclavicular joint's rotation function can therefore be targeted in this range.

Keywords: acromioclavicular joints; axial angle representation; image registration.

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the Scientific research project of key medical disciplines in Shijingshan District, Beijing (2018). The funding agency had no role in the study design; in the collection, analysis and interpretation of data; in the writing of the report; or in the decision to submit the article for publication.