Short summary

The overall purpose is to establish evidence for clinical validation of speckle tracking ultrasonography (STU) as an objective tool for measuring rotator cuff shoulder muscle function in patients having clinical signs and symptoms compatible with non-traumatic subacromial impingement syndrome (SIS).

Rationale

Shoulder pain is a common complaint in the normal population, and pathology of the rotator cuff shoulder muscles is considered to be the principal cause of pain and symptoms. This is described as subacromial impingement syndrome (SIS). There are no definitive diagnostic criteria, and SIS is a diagnosis based on the medical history and from a clinical shoulder examination. Thus, there is a need for a valid and responsive non-invasive clinical tool to assess skeletal muscle function in connection with medical treatment, healing processes, and therapeutic interventions of patients suffering from SIS. Speckle tracking ultrasonography (STU) makes it possible to quantify measure of muscle contraction - determined as muscle strain.

Description of the cohort

Patient group: 18-65 years old (n=20) and a matched healthy control group.

Data and biological material

• Rotator cuff shoulder muscle strain measured by ultrasound speckle tracking • Questionnaires • Blood samples (Biobank)

Collaborating researchers and departments

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Odense University Hospital

• Anders Holsgaard Larsen, Prof., MSc, Ph.D.
• Peter Kraglund Jacobsen, MD

Department of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark

• Lars Henrik Frich, Prof., MD, Ph.D.

Department of Neurology, Odense University Hospital

• Kate Lykke Lambertsen, Prof., MSc, Ph.D.
• Helle Hvilsted Nielsen, Assoc. Prof., MD, Ph.D.