Overview of Various Measurement Tools for Shoulder Kinematics

Shoulder kinematics is important, as it is associated with shoulder arthropathy and pain mechanisms. Various static and dynamic analysis methods are prevalent for shoulder kinematics. These include 2-dimensional plane x-ray, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging, cadaver study, electromagnetic motion analysis, transcortical bone pins technique, and in vivo 3-dimensional motion analysis. Although these methods provide the value of the shoulder kinematics angle, they are unable to explain why such changes occur. Since each method has its pros and cons, it is important to understand all factors accurately, and to choose a method that best meets the purpose of the researcher.