Clinical Three-dimensional Motion Analysis of the Upper Limb

The purpose of this paper is to present a protocol for shoulder complex clinical evaluation using optoelectronic motion analysis device, palpation approach and medical imaging. Final report and patient-specific model visualization are obtained thanks to data fusion. The data of one subject is presented to explain the data fusion methodology. First, a CAST-like (i.e., the A-PALP method) technique was applied using technical frames attached to thorax, scapula and arm in which anatomical landmarks were manually palpated, and their coordinates expressed in their local technical frame to build conventional ISB reference frames on thorax, clavicle, scapula and humerus. Next, the volunteer performed analytical movement and more functional tasks. From this reference frames, rotation matrices were parameterized by Euler angles or other representation like attitude vector Customized bone models reconstructed from medical imaging data (retrospective data obtained from a post-operative clinical follow-up after belly surgery) were registered on the C3D motion files into a multimodal platform named “lhpFusionBox” that allows combining all available heterogeneous data (kinematics, medical imaging, EMG) into a single customized model, and to visualize interactively the fusion output of the heterogeneous data collected on the subject (model and motion graphs, see figure). The method is currently in use in pre-surgery analysis with patients suffering of Brachial Plexus Birth Palsy.