2017, Volume 13, Issue 1

Reliability of ultrasound measures of supraspinatus tendon thickness and subacromial space in judo athletes

Sebastian Klich¹, Aleksandra Kisilewicz¹, Beata Pożarowszczyk¹, Mirosław Fic¹, Wojciech Seidel¹, Krystyna Chromik¹, Adam Kawczyński<sup>1

1</sup>Nauk o Spoecie, Akademia Wychowania Fizycznego we Wrocławiu, Wrocław, Poland


Author for correspondence: Sebastian Klich; Nauk o Spoecie, Akademia Wychowania Fizycznego we Wrocławiu, Wrocław, Poland; email: sebastian.klich[at]gmail.com

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Abstract

Background & Study Aim. Ultrasound examination above the shoulder is important in investigation musculoskeletal disorders, i.e. rotator cuff impingement syndrome. Monitoring and diagnostics of shoulder injuries in judo may decrease development of new injuries and improve the quality of training. The aim of this study was the intra-rater reliability of ultrasonography characteristic measurements of supraspinatus tendon thickness and subacromial space.

Material & Methods. Intra-rater testing was performed on 10 physical therapy students participated in judo class (mean age 24 years). Sonography was performed using a Honda HS 2200 ultrasound scanner with a 7.5-12.5 linear array transducer (Honda, Japan). Ultrasound images were captured of (1) supraspinatus tendon thickness in short (2) and long (3) axis and (4) subacromial space. Two images were captured, by a single examiner, and then the measurements were analyzed one the same images by the same examiner. Interclass correlation coefficient ICC_3,2 was used to determine the intra-rater reliability of the tendon thickness and subacromial space variables. Measurement error was calculated with the standard error of measure. The minimal detectable change (MDC₉₀) represents the error when a measure was taken twice (change over time).

Results. Intra-rater reliability and error for short axis was (ICC_3,2=0.989; SEM = 0.03; MDC₉₀ = 0.10), long axis (ICC_3,2 = 0.980; SEM = 0.06; MDC₉₀ = 0.17) of supraspinatus tendon thickness and subacromial space (ICC_3,2 = 0.997; SEM = 0.03; MDC₉₀ = 0.09). Supraspinatus tendon thickness in short and long axis and subacromial space demonstrated very good reliability when taken by a single examiner. The measurement error in ultrasound measurements is very low.

Conclusions: Ultrasound examination above the shoulder is important in investigation musculoskeletal disorders, i.e. rotator cuff impingement syndrome. Monitoring and diagnostics of shoulder injuries in judo may decrease the risk of  new injuries and improve the quality of training. With obtained results we confirmed the very good reliability and very low measurement error for ultrasonography performed by physical therapist.

Key words: combat sport, rehabilitation, musculoskeletal, shoulder