Ultrasonographic findings of shoulders in individual with spinal cord injury: Five-year follow-up study

Objective To determine the characteristics of ultrasonographic abnormalities findings of shoulders in persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) in a 5-year interval. Methods Persons with SCI who attended the rehabilitation clinic, Srinagarind hospital were evaluated the baseline characteristic, physical examinations and the ultrasonography of both shoulders. Prevalence of abnormal shoulder ultrasonographic findings was compared between baseline and 5-year following study. Results Out of 91 SCI participants, 52 individuals were enrolled in the study (57%, 27 in persons with a paraplegia and 25 in persons with a tetraplegia). Most of the participants had incomplete SCI and used wheelchair for mobility. The prevalence of shoulder pain in persons with SCI was 19.2% (10/52). In 5-year interval, the prevalence of biceps tendon effusion and supraspinatus tendinosis was increased significantly ( p = 0.004, p < 0.001 ), respectively, while the prevalence of subdeltoid-subacromial bursitis was decreased significantly ( p = 0.018 ). In persons with paraplegic group, the prevalence of supraspinatus tendinosis was increased whereas the prevalence of the subdeltoid-subacromial bursitis was decreased significantly ( p < 0.001, p = 0.035) accordingly. In persons with tetraplegic group, the prevalence of biceps tendon effusion was increased significantly ( p = 0.013 ). The prevalence of abnormal shoulder ultrasound findings in persons with SCI compared between baseline and 5-year following study was increased significantly ( p = 0.002 ). Conclusion In 5-year interval, the study shows progression of abnormal shoulder ultrasound findings in persons with SCI. The prevalence of biceps tendon effusion and supraspinatus tendinosis was significantly increased.