Evaluation of Shoulder Instability Braces
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The comparative abilities of three types of shoulder orthoses to limit motion following isokinetic exercise were studied on 10 male subjects. Maximum active abduction, forward flexion, and external rotation were measured under a control and three braced conditions. Braced conditions included Sawa, Duke Wyre, and Shoulder Subluxation Inhibitor. Subjects performed 10 repetitions each of flexion/extension and abduction/adduction exercise at isokinetic speeds of 120 and 180°/s. Data were analyzed using a paired t-test and ANOVA. Significant differences were found for each of the devices in pre/post gonio-metric measurements of forward shoulder flexion. Only the Sawa brace demonstrated significant pre/post change for shoulder abduction. No significant differences were detected in any of the devices for external rotation. A trainer who is selecting a motion-limiting shoulder device for an athlete returning to competition following injury should consider the “loosening” effect that may occur during activity as well as the desire for overhead motion.
The authors are with the Methodist Sports Medicine Center/Thomas A. Brady Clinic, 1815 N. Capitol Ave., Suite 401, Indianapolis, IN 46202. Address correspondence to Kathy Malone.
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