Clinical significance of the elbow forward translation motion in patients with rotator cuff tears

Investigation of the limiting factors of shoulder joint complex motion in college baseball players: motion analysis of the humeral head and rotator cuff using ultrasound

“…T-motion has been previously correlated with IR movement in patients with rotator cuff tears. 31 IR behind the back, as measured by the Constant-Murley score, consists of various components, including shoulder extension, adduction, elbow flexion, and IR of the glenohumeral joint. 4 , 5 , 16 This movement encompasses the incorporation of the humeral head, 7 , 15 , 33 posterior tightness, 24 and motion of the humerus and scapula.…”

“…The T-motion test, a quick and simple assessment, measures the elbow position when both dorsal hands are placed on top of the iliac crest while the patient is in a sitting position and the elbow is actively moved forward. 31 During T-motion, patients were asked to avoid kyphosis as a means of inhibiting compensatory movements. 31 A positive test result was defined as a position of the olecranon posterior to the body on the sagittal plane, while a negative test result was defined as a position of the olecranon anterior to the body on the sagittal plane.…”

“… 31 During T-motion, patients were asked to avoid kyphosis as a means of inhibiting compensatory movements. 31 A positive test result was defined as a position of the olecranon posterior to the body on the sagittal plane, while a negative test result was defined as a position of the olecranon anterior to the body on the sagittal plane. In this study, all participants had negative results on the T-motion test, indicating that flexibility was ensured.…”

“…One method of evaluating complex motion of the shoulder joint in clinical practice, the elbow forward translation motion (T-motion) test, has been developed. 31 This test provides a quick and simple means to measure an individual’s elbow position while seated with both hands on the iliac crest and the elbow actively moving forward. The T-motion test has demonstrated associations with shoulder internal rotation (IR) and external rotation (ER) and functional scores on activities of daily living in patients with rotator cuff tears.…”

“…The T-motion test has demonstrated associations with shoulder internal rotation (IR) and external rotation (ER) and functional scores on activities of daily living in patients with rotator cuff tears. 31 Given that T-motion has previously been linked to rotational movement, it is plausible that factors such as stiffness in posterior tissues and other variables may act as limiting factors for this motion.…”