Abstract
Background
During the empty can test, the direction of the thumb (downward) has been widely used
as an instruction for producing glenohumeral internal rotation. However, the combination
of forearm pronation and thumb motion as a compensatory movement could contribute
to the lack of glenohumeral internal rotation during the empty can test. This study
aimed to compare the glenohumeral internal rotation angle between the conventional
empty can (with thumb direction) and modified empty can tests (with elbow direction),
as well as the acromiohumeral distance between the full can, conventional empty can,
and modified empty can tests.
Methods
In this laboratory study, we measured the glenohumeral internal rotation angle using
a motion sensor and the acromiohumeral distance using ultrasonography during the following
tests: full can test (thumb pointing up), conventional empty can test (thumb pointing
down), and modified empty can test (elbow pointing laterally) in 20 healthy subjects.
Results
Compared with the conventional empty can test, the glenohumeral internal rotation
angle was significantly greater during the modified empty can test (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the acromiohumeral distance measured in the modified empty
can test was significantly less than that in the full can test (p < 0.001) and conventional empty can test (p < 0.001). However, there was no difference in the acromiohumeral distance between
the full can test and the conventional empty can test (p > 0.017).
Conclusions
During the empty can test, the instructions should be given to patients based on the
elbow direction (elbow pointing laterally). The modified empty can test can produce
full glenohumeral internal rotation, compared with instructions based on the thumb
direction (thumb pointing down). Consequently, the modified empty can test can produce
a more decreased subacromial space.
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: December 27, 2021
Accepted:
December 9,
2021
Received in revised form:
December 5,
2021
Received:
September 6,
2021
Identification
Copyright
© 2021 The Japanese Orthopaedic Association. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
