Shoulder and elbow pathology in the female athlete: sex-specific considerations

Application of Artificial Intelligence in Shoulder Pathology

Artificial intelligence (AI) refers to the science and engineering of creating intelligent machines for imitating and expanding human intelligence. Given the ongoing evolution of the multidisciplinary integration trend in modern medicine, numerous studies have investigated the power of AI to address orthopedic-specific problems. One particular area of investigation focuses on shoulder pathology, which is a range of disorders or abnormalities of the shoulder joint, causing pain, inflammation, stiffness, weakness, and reduced range of motion. There has not yet been a comprehensive review of the recent advancements in this field. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to evaluate current AI applications in shoulder pathology. This review mainly summarizes several crucial stages of the clinical practice, including predictive models and prognosis, diagnosis, treatment, and physical therapy. In addition, the challenges and future development of AI technology are also discussed.

A low carrying angle is measured in elite tennis players just before ball impact during the forehand, suggesting a dynamic varus instant accommodation moving towards full extension

PURPOSE

The goal of this study was to use image analysis recordings to measure the carrying angle of elite male tennis players during the forehand stroke, with the hypothesis that elite tennis players overstress their elbow in valgus over the physiological degree in the frontal plane just before ball contact on forehand groundstrokes.

METHODS

The carrying angle of male tennis players ranked in the top 25 positions in the ATP ranking was measured on selected video frames with the elbow as close as possible to full extension just before the ball-racket contact in forehands. These frames were extracted from 306 videos professionally recorded for training purposes by a high-profile video analyst. All measures were conducted by three independent observers.

RESULTS

Sixteen frames were finally included. The mean carrying angle was 11.5° ± 4.7°. The intraclass correlation coefficient value was 0.703, showing good reliability of the measurement technique. The measured carrying angle was lower than what has been observed in historical cohorts using comparable measurement methodology, suggesting a possible instant varus accommodation mechanism before hitting the ball.

CONCLUSIONS

The observed decrease in the carrying angle is a consequence of an increase in elbow flexion position dictated by the transition from a closed to open, semi-open stances. As the elbow flexes during the preparation phase, it is less constrained by the olecranon and its fossa, increasing the strain on the medial collateral ligament and capsule structures. Moving towards full extension before the ball-racket contact, the elbow is dynamically stabilised by a contraction of the flexor muscles. These observations could provide a new explanation for medial elbow injuries among elite tennis players and drive specific rehabilitation protocols.

STUDY DESIGN

Descriptive epidemiology study.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV.

Age- and sex-specific normative values of bone mineral density in the adult glenoid

The objective of this study was to determine the normative bone mineral density (BMD) of cortical and trabecular bone regions in the adult glenoid and its dependence on the subject's age and sex. We analyzed computed tomography (CT) scans of 441 shoulders (310 males, 18-69 years) without any signs of glenohumeral joint pathology. Glenoid BMD was automatically quantified in six volumes of interest (VOIs): cortical bone (CO), subchondral cortical plate (SC), subchondral trabecular bone (ST), and three adjacent layers of trabecular bone (T1, T2, and T3). BMD was measured in Hounsfield unit (HU). We evaluated the association between glenoid BMD and sex and age with the Student's t test and Pearson's correlation coefficient (r), respectively. The lambda-mu-sigma method was used to determine age- and sex-specific normative values of glenoid BMD in cortical (CO and SC) and trabecular (ST, T1, T2, and T3) bone. Glenoid BMD was higher in males than females, in most age groups and most VOIs. Before 40 years old, the effect of age on BMD was very weak in both males and females. After 40 years old, BMD declined over time in all VOIs. This BMD decline with age was greater in females (cortical: r = -0.45, trabecular: r = -0.41) than in males (cortical: r = -0.30; trabecular: r = -0.32). These normative glenoid BMD values could prove clinically relevant in the diagnosis and management of patients with various shoulder disorders, in particular glenohumeral osteoarthritis and shoulder arthroplasty or shoulder instability, as well as in related research.

Similar Clinical, Return to Sports, Recurrence, and Revision Outcomes Between Female and Male Athletes Following Arthroscopic Bankart Repair

PURPOSE

To compare return to sports, functional outcomes, and recurrences rates between female and male athletes following arthroscopic Bankart repair (ABR).

METHODS

A retrospective comparative study was performed between male and female athletes who underwent an ABR between January 2008 and December 2019. Sports practiced primarily by men in our practice (including rugby, soccer, boxing, and martial arts) were excluded. Functional outcomes included the Rowe score, visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, and shoulder-dependent sports ability measured with the Athletic Shoulder Outcome Scoring System (ASOSS). Return to sport, recurrence, and revisions were evaluated. Additionally, we assessed the period (months) between surgery and recurrence events.

RESULTS

A total of 58 female and 106 male patients were available for analysis at a median follow-up of 60 (interquartile range [IQR], 36-84) months. Ninety-one percent of the patients (n = 150) returned to sports and 84% (n = 126) returned to their preinjury level at a median of 6 months (IQR, 5-8) postoperatively. There were no differences in the rate of return to sports between females and males (91 vs 92% respectively, P = .997). There were no differences between the groups regarding postoperative functional outcomes, with most patients achieving the minimal clinically significant difference (Rowe: 98% female and 99% male, P = .584; ASOSS: 100% female and 99% male, P = .646). The overall recurrence rate was 9.7% (n = 16), with a rate of 10.3% (n = 6) in female and 9.4% (n = 10) in male athletes (P = .851). Time to event analysis showed that the median time to recurrence was 48 months in both groups (P = .848). The overall revision rate was 3% (n = 4), without significant differences between groups (P = .556).

CONCLUSIONS

When compared within similar sports, there does not appear to be sex-related differences in functional outcomes, recurrence, or return to play following ABR.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

III, retrospective comparative study.

Sports-Related Shoulder Injuries Among Female Athletes

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The objectives of this review are to explore the recent literature evaluating sports-related shoulder injuries among female athletes.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent literature has highlighted sex-related differences in injury trends and patterns among athletes. Increased participation of women in both recreational and professional sports has resulted in increased exposure to injury. While men experience greater rates of shoulder injury overall, women tend to experience more overuse-related injuries. Evidence also suggests women are more susceptible to shoulder laxity and rotator cuff tears. In comparison to their male counterparts, women note poorer function, increased pain, and decreased activity level following shoulder injuries. Women may also be more likely to experience worse outcomes following surgical intervention. Sex-related differences in injury patterns and outcomes results from a combination of molecular and environmental influences, including hormone pathways, shoulder morphology, and differing rates of participation in, and athletic regulations among, certain sports. Sex-related differences occur in how athletes sustain, experience, and recover from sports-related injuries. A comprehensive understanding of sex-related injuries enhances clinical decision making, treatment, and recovery. Further research is needed to clarify sex as an independent variable when evaluating sports-related shoulder injuries.

Ultrasound Assessment of Anterior Humeral Head Translation in Patients With Anterior Shoulder Instability: Correlation With Demographic, Radiographic, and Clinical Data

Background:

Ultrasonography can be used to quantitatively assess anterior humeral head translation (AHHT) at different degrees of shoulder abduction. Risk factors for recurrent shoulder instability have been identified.

Hypothesis:

It was hypothesized that the number of dislocations or glenoid or humeral bone loss would be associated with more AHHT as measured using ultrasound.

Study Design:

Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

A total of 39 patients who underwent surgery for anterior shoulder instability were prospectively studied. Ultrasound assessment of AHHT was performed immediately after general anesthesia was induced. The upper arm was placed at 0°, 45°, and 90° of abduction, and a 40-N anterior force was applied to the proximal third of the arm. The distance from the posterior edge of the glenoid to that of the humeral head was measured at each abduction angle using ultrasound with and without a 40-N anterior force, and the AHHT was calculated. The differences in translation at each shoulder angle were compared. Additionally, the authors investigated the association between AHHT and demographic, radiographic, and clinical data.

Results:

Compared with the AHHT at 0° of abduction (5.29 mm), translation was significantly larger at 45° of abduction (8.90 mm; P < .01) and 90° of abduction (9.46 mm; P < .01). The mean translation was significantly larger in female patients than in male patients at all degrees of abduction (P ≤ .036 for all). There was no correlation between AHHT at any abduction angle and number of dislocations, clinical data, or radiographic data (including bone loss).

Conclusion:

Ultrasound assessment of AHHT showed larger amounts of laxity at 45° and 90° than at 0° of abduction. Anterior glenohumeral laxity was greater in female than male patients. Glenoid or humeral bone loss did not correlate with AHHT, thereby clarifying that bone loss has no direct effect on measurements of capsular laxity in neutral rotation.