Shoulder Proprioception: A Review

Abstract

The purpose of this review is to provide a comprehensive resource for shoulder proprioception assessment and its integration into clinical decision making as well as targeted rehabilitation protocols. Data for this review were acquired from peer-reviewed articles from computerized online databases, namely PubMed and Medline, published between 1906 and 2021. The development of digital/smart phone goniometers can improve shoulder joint range of motion (ROM) measurements and demonstrate comparable measurement accuracy to the universal standard goniometer. The inclinometer offers a portable and cost-effective method for measuring shoulder joint angles and arcs of motion in the vertical plane. Two types of dynamometers, the computerized isokinetic machine and the handheld hydraulic dynamometer, are reliable tools for objective shoulder rotator cuff strength assessment. Motion analysis systems are highly advanced modalities that create three-dimensional models of motion arcs using a series of cameras and reflective beads, offering unparalleled precision in shoulder proprioception measurement; however, they require time-consuming calibration and skilled operators. Advancements in wearable devices and compact mobile technology such as iPhone applications may make three-dimensional motion analysis more affordable and practical for outpatient settings in the future. The complex interplay between proprioception and shoulder dysfunction is not fully understood; however, shoulder proprioception can likely both contribute to and be caused by shoulder pathology. In patients with rotator cuff tears, glenohumeral osteoarthritis, and shoulder instability, clinicians can track proprioception to understand a patient’s disease progression or response to treatment. Finally, rehabilitation programs targeting shoulder proprioception have shown promising initial results in restoring function and returning athletes to play.