Shoulder Mechanical Impingement Risk Associated with Manual Wheelchair Tasks in Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury

Individuals with spinal cord injuries often experience shoulder pain from using manual wheelchairs. This pain can be caused by the compression of soft tissues in the shoulder joint. This study examined how different wheelchair tasks affect the space in the shoulder where tissues can be compressed. The study found that certain movements, like raising the arm to the side and pushing the wheelchair, can increase the risk of tissue compression. Understanding which activities pose a higher risk can help in developing techniques to reduce shoulder pain and preserve shoulder health for wheelchair users.

• 1
  Mechanical impingement was observed during scapular plane elevation and propulsion, but not during pressure relief maneuvers in most participants.
• 2
  The greatest impingement risk was found during scapular plane elevation, followed by propulsion.
• 3
  The infraspinatus and supraspinatus tendons were both susceptible to impingement during scapular plane elevation, while the supraspinatus was most susceptible during propulsion.