Is Shoulder Imbalance a Useful Parameter in the Screening of Idiopathic Scoliosis? A Preliminary Study / O desequilíbrio do ombro é um parâmetro útil na triagem da escoliose idiopática? Um estudo preliminar

Abstract Objective The present study aims to analyze the use of shoulder imbalance as a parameter for scoliosis screening as well as its relationship with other parameters of physical examination. Methods This study assesses a smartphone application that analyzes several parameters of the physical examination in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Medical and non-medical examiners applied the screening tool in students in a public school and in a private sports club. After data collection, interobserver correlation was done to verify shoulder imbalance and to compare shoulder imbalance with Adam's bending test and with trunk rotation. Results Eighty-nine participants were examined, 18 of whom were women and 71 of whom were men. Two subjects were excluded from the analysis. The mean age of subjects from the public school was 11.30 years and, for those from the sports club, it was 11.92 years. The examiners had poor-to-slight interobserver concordance on shoulder asymmetry in the anterior and posterior view. No significant statistical correlation was found between shoulder asymmetry and positive Adam's forward bending test. Conclusion Our preliminary study shows that the shoulder asymmetry has a poor correlation with the Adam's forward bending test and measuring trunk rotation using a scoliometer. Therefore, the use of shoulder imbalance might not be useful for idiopathic scoliosis screening. Level of Evidence III; Diagnostic Study

Resumo Objetivo O objetivo deste estudo é analisar o uso da assimetria de ombros como parâmetro para a triagem de escoliose e sua relação a outros parâmetros do exame físico. Métodos Este estudo avalia um aplicativo para smartphone que analisa diversos parâmetros do exame físico de adolescentes com escoliose idiopática. Examinadores médicos e não médicos utilizaram o instrumento de triagem em alunos de uma escola pública e de um clube esportivo privado. Após a coleta de dados, a correlação interobservador foi determinada para verificar a assimetria de ombros e compará-la ao teste de inclinação de Adam e à medição da rotação do tronco. Resultados Oitenta e nove participantes foram examinados, sendo 18 do sexo feminino e 71 do sexo masculino. Dois indivíduos foram excluídos da análise. A média de idade dos participantes da escola pública foi de 11,30 anos e do clube esportivo, 11,92 anos. Os examinadores apresentaram concordância interobservador baixa a branda quanto à assimetria de ombros em incidência anterior e posterior. Não houve correlação estatística significativa entre a assimetria de ombros e o resultado positivo no teste de inclinação do tronco de Adam. Conclusão Nosso estudo preliminar mostra que a assimetria de ombros tem baixa correlação com o teste de inclinação de Adam e assim como com a medição de rotação do tronco com escoliômetro. Portanto, o uso da assimetria de ombros pode não ser útil na triagem da escoliose idiopática. Nível de Evidência III; Estudo Diagnóstico

Interactive associations of sex and hyperlipidemia with calcific tendinitis of the shoulder in Taiwanese adults.

Calcific tendinitis (CT) of the shoulder is a painful disorder usually identified in individuals aged 40 and 60 years. The estimated global prevalence of CT is 2.7% to 36%. We examined the association of hyperlipidemia and sex with CT of the shoulder using Taiwan Biobank (TWB) and the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD).Data were available for 9903 TWB participants who were recruited between 2008 and 2015. We used multiple logistic regression analysis to estimate the odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for CT of the shoulder.Overall, 1564 women, and 1491 men were identified with hyperlipidemia. Women, compared to men, had higher odds of CT of the shoulder (OR, 1.53; 95% CI, 1.08-2.16). Hyperlipidemia, compared to no hyperlipidemia, was associated with an increased risk of CT (OR, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.02-1.93). The test for interaction was significant for sex and hyperlipidemia (P = .006). After stratification, the odds ratio for CT was 1.95 (95% CI, 1.30-2.92) in women and 0.82 (95% CI, 0.48-1.39) in men, respectively. Compared to men with no hyperlipidemia, the odds ratio was 0.86 (95% CI, 0.53-1.38) for men with hyperlipidemia and 2.00 (95% CI, 1.29-3.10) for women with hyperlipidemia.Importantly, our findings indicated that the risk for CT of the shoulder was higher among Taiwanese women with hyperlipidemia. However, CT risk among their male counterparts with hyperlipidemia was not significant.

Modified Woodward Technique for Sprengel Deformity and a Modification of the Cavendish Classification.

INTRODUCTION: Sprengel deformity (SD) is the most common congenital anomaly of the shoulder. Surgery is required for moderate and severe forms. The modified Woodward procedure is the most widely used procedure for the surgical treatment. METHODS: SD patients who applied to our institution between 2005 and 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. A modification of the Cavendish classification was used for preoperative and postoperative evaluations. RESULTS: Eighteen shoulders of 17 (mean age: 8.5 y, range: 2 to 18 y, 5 males and 12 females) patients were included. The right, left, and bilateral shoulders were affected in 9, 7, and 1 cases, respectively. The mean follow-up time was 62.9 months (12 to 161 mo). Preoperatively, 3 shoulders were type 2, 12 shoulders were type 3, and 3 shoulders were type 4 according to the Cavendish classification and 2 shoulders were type 0, 6 shoulders were type 1, and 10 shoulders were type 2 postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Periscapular congenital malformations play a significant role in range of motion limitation. The modified Woodward procedure is a viable alternative in the surgical treatment of SD and the proposed modification of Cavendish classification (grade 0) is functional.

Abobotulinumtoxina injections in shoulder muscles to improve adult upper limb spasticity: Results from a phase 4 real-world study and a phase 3 open-label trial.

Botulinum toxins, such as abobotulinumtoxinA, are used to treat spasticity (muscle overactivity) in arm muscles. Spasticity in shoulder muscles occurs in many patients following a stroke. Shoulder spasticity can be painful and limit limb movement. This paper compares the results from patients who did and those who did not receive abobotulinumtoxinA injections in shoulder muscles (among other arm muscles) in 2 studies. In both studies, the results showed that more patients receiving treatment in shoulder muscles chose pain as a key goal for treatment and had reduced pain following treatment compared with patients not treated in the shoulder. In addition, patients receiving shoulder injections showed further improvement in arm movement compared with those not receiving shoulder injections. Overall, these results suggest that abobotulinumtoxinA treatment in shoulder muscles may improve outcomes for patients with arm spasticity involving the shoulder.

Effectiveness and safety of early intramuscular botulinum toxin injections to prevent shoulder deformity in babies with brachial plexus birth injury (POPB-TOX), a randomised controlled trial: study protocol.

INTRODUCTION: In children with brachial plexus birth injury (BPBI), denervation of the shoulder muscles leads to bony deformity in the first months of life, reducing active and passive range of motion (ROM) and causing activity limitation. The aim of this multicentre randomised controlled trial is to evaluate the effectiveness of botulinum toxin injections (BTI) in the shoulder internal rotator muscles of 12-month-old babies in limiting the progression of posterior subluxation of the glenohumeral joint, compared with a sham procedure mimicking BTI. The secondary aims are to evaluate the effectiveness of BTI in (1) limiting the progression of glenoid retroversion and three-dimensional (3D) deformity and (2) improving shoulder ROM and upper limb function, as well as to confirm the tolerance of BTI. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Sixty-two babies with unilateral BPBI and a risk of posterior humeral head subluxation will be included. Only those with at least 7% posterior subluxation of the humeral head compared with the contralateral shoulder on the MRI will be randomised to one of two groups: 'BTI' and 'Sham'. The BTI group will receive BOTOX injections at the age of 12 months in the internal shoulder rotator muscles (8 UI/kg). The sham group will undergo a sham BTI procedure. Both groups will undergo repeated shoulder MRI at 18 months of age to quantify changes in the percentage of posterior migration of the humeral head (primary outcome), glenoid version and 3D bone deformity. Clinical evaluations (passive shoulder ROM, active movement scale) will be carried out at baseline and 15 and 18 months of age. The mini-assisting hand assessment will be rated between 10 and 11 months and at 18 months of age. Adverse events will be recorded at least monthly for each child. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Full ethical approval for this study has been obtained. The findings will be disseminated in peer-reviewed publications. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: EudraCT: 2015-001402-34 in European Clinical Trial database; NCT03198702 in Clinical Trial database; Pre-results.

Work participation and working life expectancy after a disabling shoulder lesion.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the impact of a disabling non-traumatic shoulder lesion on work participation and working life expectancy. METHODS: From a 70% random sample of the Finnish population, we selected 30-59-year-old wage earners with prolonged sickness absence due to a shoulder lesion (n=7644). We followed the persons from 2006 to 2014 and calculated the proportion of time a person spent in different work participation statuses. The associations of potential determinants with a preterm exit from paid employment were tested using Cox regression. Years expected to be spent in different work participation statuses were estimated applying the Sullivan method for healthy life expectancy. RESULTS: During 9 years of follow-up time spent at work was reduced from 77.7% to 46.7%, and 15.8% of the persons were granted disability retirement, mostly due to shoulder and other musculoskeletal diseases. Compared with the general population persons with a disabling shoulder disease are expected to lose from 1.8 to 8.1 years of working life, depending on their age. Age, gender, education, duration of initial sickness absence due to the shoulder lesion, not being able to return to work sustainably and participation in vocational rehabilitation predicted preterm exit from work. Heavy lifting increased the risk of preterm exit marginally. CONCLUSIONS: Working life expectancy is markedly reduced in persons with a disabling shoulder lesion, mainly because of disability retirement due to musculoskeletal problems. Clinicians should consider interventions targeted at improving musculoskeletal functioning and necessary work modifications before shoulder problems become chronic or the persons develop disabling comorbid musculoskeletal conditions.

Long-Term Results of a Monocentric Series of Soldiers After Latarjet Procedure for Anterior Shoulder Instability. Implications for the Assessment of Soldiers' Medical Ability.

Introduction: Stabilizing surgery of the shoulder with a coracoid graft according to Latarjet is a recognized surgical treatment for anterior instability of the shoulder. This pathology frequently affects soldiers. Postoperatively, the potential risk of recurrence or of secondary shoulder arthritis can limit the practitioner in their ability assessment. The aim of this study is to analyze the long-term outcomes of this surgery in a military population, in order to assess the possible implications for French soldiers' medical ability. Material and Methods: Twenty soldiers operated on the shoulder by Latarjet procedure by the same surgeon were retrospectively reviewed after more than 15 yr. All of them did regular physical activity for leisure or competitions. None had preoperative osteoarthritis injuries. The number of dislocation recurrences, the functional score, and the rate of radiographic osteoarthritis were assessed. Results: After more than 16.3 yr (extremes: 15-24 yr), none displayed a dislocation recurrence. The average Rowe's score was 91.8 ± 9.9. The average subjective shoulder value was 89.2 ± 9.7. All patients had resumed sport. Three of them developed level 1 or 2 radiological signs of osteoarthritis according to Samilson. No level 3 or 4 osteoarthritis was found. Among all the patients, 14 still did regular physical activity. Discussion: In view of our results and of those from the literature, the results of treatment for anterior shoulder instability with the Latarjet procedure are good, even very good in the long term. These data must be considered to favor this procedure for soldiers with shoulder instability and from a medico-administrative viewpoint for military patients in order to pursue their careers without any job restrictions.

Axial Plane Deformity of the Shoulder in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis.

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective observational study. OBJECTIVE: To study axial plane deformation of the shoulder in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) and try to correlate it with curve type and surgical correction. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: It is established that AIS is a 3-dimensional deformity. The rib hump is the most common manifestation of axial plane deformations; the least common manifestation seems to be upper trunk and shoulder rotation, which has been hitherto undescribed. METHODS: Fourteen consecutive, operated cases of AIS were analyzed prospectively. Preoperative and postoperative x-rays of the spine and clinical photographs were studied. Clinical photographs (top view) were taken with patients in the sitting position, to show shoulder level in relation to the axis of the head and pelvis. Chest computed tomography scans were also studied to determine the direction of apical vertebra and trunk torsion. RESULTS: All 14 patients in this series had their right shoulders anteriorly rotated preoperatively (anticlockwise). The direction of rotation seemed unrelated to the curve type and shoulder elevation, although most had rib humps on the right. This shoulder rotation was corrected postoperatively by routine maneuvers done for scoliosis correction. Minor residual rotation was seen in 6 patients who also had minimal persisting rib hump. In 1 case the axial plane rotation worsened, although the shoulder level and trunk symmetry improved significantly. The apical vertebral rotation on computed tomography had little bearing on the direction of shoulder rotation. CONCLUSIONS: Axial plane rotation of the shoulder is a hitherto un-described dimension of AIS deformity complex. Much of it corrects spontaneously with correction of the thoracic spinal deformity.

Clinical Assessment of the Dynamic Labral Shear Test for Superior Labrum Anterior and Posterior Lesions.

BACKGROUND: Diagnosing superior labrum anterior and posterior (SLAP) lesions through physical examination remains challenging. The dynamic labral shear test (DLST) has been shown to have likelihood ratios (LRs) of 31.6 and 1.1 for diagnosing SLAP lesions. PURPOSE: To determine the clinical utility of the DLST for diagnosing SLAP lesions. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 2. METHODS: This prospective, consecutive case series included 774 patients who underwent diagnostic arthroscopy and a preoperative DLST between 2007 and 2013. Patients were divided into 3 groups: 610 control patients with no SLAP lesion but with other abnormalities, 9 patients with isolated SLAP lesion (ISL), and 155 patients with concomitant SLAP lesion (CSL), who had a SLAP lesion and another shoulder abnormality. We determined sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), odds ratio (OR), and diagnostic accuracy (DA) of the DLST with and without other tests. RESULTS: The DLST was positive for 242 of 610 controls (40%), 7 of 9 patients (78%) in the ISL group, and 88 of 155 patients (57%) in the CSL group. In the ISL group, the DLST had a sensitivity of 78%, specificity of 51%, PPV of 2%, NPV of 100%, OR of 3.58, and DA of 51%. In comparison, the ORs were 1.09 for the active compression test, 1.30 for the lift-off test, and 1.53 for the relocation test, which were not significantly different from each other. For diagnosing a SLAP lesion existing in a joint with other associated injury, the DLST had a sensitivity of 57%, specificity of 52%, PPV of 23%, NPV of 83%, OR of 1.4, and DA of 53%. Combining all 4 tests did not improve the OR for detecting ISLs or CSLs. CONCLUSION: The DLST is sensitive but not specific for detecting ISLs. With an OR of 3.58, the DLST is useful for diagnosing ISLs. However, in patients who have CSLs, the DLST is not as useful for diagnosing SLAP lesions.

Endoscopic Woodward procedure for Sprengel deformity: case report.

Sprengel deformity (SD) results in a limitation of movement of the shoulder girdle and produces an esthetic defect. Our aim is to assess the feasibility and advantages of a minimally invasive endoscopic approach for SD correction. A 4-year-old boy with a Cavendish grade III right SD. The patient underwent an endoscopic Woodward procedure with access through two small incisions at the level of the upper and lower angles of the scapula. Near-symmetrical shoulder elevation was achieved, with an excellent cosmetic result. The endoscopic Woodward procedure is a feasible, effective, and minimally invasive technique in the treatment of SD. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: V.

Congenital forward shoulder with clavicle hypoplasia: surgical lengthening by intercalary graft positioning and plate fixation.

BACKGROUND: Congenital forward shoulder with clavicular hypoplasia is a rare disease which can be caused by an alteration of clavicular development in such a way that the clavicles are short. Symptoms are often absent; in most cases the main problem is represented by the cosmetic implications. There is no general consensus about the correct management, and surgery is the only way to correct the deformity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The aim of the study is to describe a new surgical treatment in patients with congenital forward shoulder and clavicular hypoplasia. In 2010, three patients suffering from bilateral congenital forward shoulder were managed surgically by a intercalary graft positioning with plate fixation aimed at the elongation of the clavicles. RESULTS: Patients were followed by up to 2 years. All the patients treated were satisfied with the results, regarding the resolution of mild pain, but especially from the cosmetic point of view. CONCLUSION: The intercalary graft positioning was found to be easy to perform and allowed an elongation of the clavicles with immediate stability.

La artroplastia invertida de hombro ante defectos óseos glenoideos / Reverse shoulder arthroplasty due to glenoid bone defects

Objetivo. La artroplastia invertida se está convirtiendo en una herramienta útil para afecciones muy variadas en el hombro. Un defecto óseo importante de la glena puede afectar a la fijación del componente glenoideo. El propósito de nuestro estudio es evaluar a medio plazo los resultados de la artroplastia invertida de hombro asociados a una glenoplastia. Material y métodos. Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo de 5 pacientes de nuestro hospital con defectos glenoideos de distinta etiología que fueron tratados mediante artroplastia invertida de hombro asociada a glenoplastia. Resultados. El seguimiento mínimo de estos pacientes fue de un año (con una media de 30,4 meses). Todos los injertos estaban radiológicamente integrados, sin observarse signos de resorción o necrosis. A los 12 meses el test de Constant era de 66,75 de media y el EVA medio era de 1. Discusión. La glenoplastia es una intervención de alta demanda técnica que consigue restaurar el remanente óseo en pacientes con defectos estructurales, permitiendo así implantar una artroplastia invertida. De esa forma podemos mejorar la función y la clínica en pacientes con diversas afecciones glenohumerales, proporcionándoles una solución (AU)

Objective. Reverse shoulder arthroplasty is becoming a useful tool for many diseases of the shoulder. Any severe glenoid bone defect may affect the fixing of the glenoid component. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the medium-term outcomes of reverse shoulder arthroplasty associated with a glenoplasty. Materials and methods. A retrospective study was conducted on 5 patients from our hospital, selected due to glenoid defects of different etiology. All of them where treated with reverse shoulder arthroplasty associated with glenoplasty with bone graft. Results. The minimum follow-up was one year (mean 30.4 months). All grafts were radiologically integrated, with no signs of resorption or necrosis being observed. At 12 months, the Constant score was 66.75 and the mean EVA score was 1. Discussion. Glenoplasty surgery is technically demanding for restoring original bone size in patients with glenoid structural defects, enabling a reverse shoulder arthroplasty to be implanted. Thus improving both the function and clinical outcomes in selected patients with glenohumeral pathology and providing them with a solution (AU)

Boston Children's Hospital approach to brachial plexus birth palsy.

The treatment of infants with brachial plexus birth palsy (BPBP) continues to be a focus at Boston Children's Hospital. Over the last 15 years, there have been many developments in the treatment of infants with BPBP. Some of the greatest changes have emerged through technical advances such as the advent of distal nerve transfers to allow targeted reinnervation as well as through research to understand the pathoanatomical changes that lead to glenohumeral dysplasia and how this dysplasia can be remodeled. This review will discuss our current practice of evaluation of the infant with BPBP, techniques for microsurgical reconstruction, and prevention and treatment of secondary glenohumeral dysplasia.

Pitfalls in shoulder MRI: part 2--biceps tendon, bursae and cysts, incidental and postsurgical findings, and artifacts.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this article is to review frequently encountered pitfalls as they pertain to the biceps tendon, bursae and cysts around the shoulder, incidental findings, postsurgical findings, and frequently encountered imaging artifacts. CONCLUSION: Imaging pitfalls in and around the shoulder are not limited to normal anatomy and anatomic variants. Radiologists must be cognizant of the vast variability of structures in the shoulder and of the incidental and postsurgical findings and artifacts affecting them.

Rare accessory slip of the deltoid muscle conjoined with teres minor

Routine dissection of a 69-year-old American Caucasian female revealed a unique accessory slip of the deltoid muscle which was conjoined with the proximal portion of teres minor. The variant muscle bundle was united with the distal portion of the deltoid, but deviated superomedially and fused with the origin of teres minor. This discovery possesses clinical relevance with respect to surgical repair of shoulder pathology or trauma. Shoulder injuries and their respective repairs are very common. Therefore, consideration of this variant is necessary for the correct diagnosis and treatment of massive trauma or other shoulder pathology that is refractory to standard treatments

No disponible

Brassiere strap groove deformity: definition and classification.

UNLABELLED: Brassiere strap grooves develop mostly on the shoulders of women with hypertrophied breasts. Varying degrees of the deformity are observed in such cases. To date, there is no universally accepted definition and classification for brassiere strap groove deformity. In this study, we aimed to define and classify the deformity in order to inform consultants and future surgeons. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE V: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Homozygosity for a novel truncating mutation confirms TBX15 deficiency as the cause of Cousin syndrome.

Cousin syndrome, also called pelviscapular dysplasia (OMIM 260660), is characterized by short stature, craniofacial dysmorphism, and multiple skeletal anomalies. Following its description in two sibs in 1982, no new cases have been observed until the observation of two unrelated cases in 2008 who were homozygous for frameshift mutations in TBX15. We investigated an adult individual with short stature, a complex craniofacial dysmorphism, malformed and rotated ears, short neck, elbow contractures, hypoacusis, and hypoplasia of scapula and pelvis on radiographs. We identified homozygosity for a novel nonsense mutation (c.841C>T) in TBX15 predicted to cause a premature stop (p.Arg281*) with truncation of the protein. This observation confirms that Cousin syndrome is a consistent and clinically recognizable phenotype caused by loss of function of TBX15.

Avaliação estática do posicionamento escapular em indivíduos normais / Static evaluation of scapular positioning in healthy individuals

Objetivos: Avaliar o posicionamento estático da escápula no gradil costal em indivíduos saudáveis, por meio da avaliação clínica e radiográfica, avaliar a confiabilidade interavaliador do exame clínico e verificar a confiabilidade do método de avaliação em comparação ao exame radiográfico. Métodos: foram selecionados 30 indivíduos adultos de ambos os sexos sem diagnóstico de doenças nos ombros. O exame clínico estático, seguindo o protocolo sugerido por Burkhart e cols., foi realizado repetidamente por 2 examinadores independentes; a seguir, foi realizado o exame radiográfico, que posteriormente foi examinado pelo primeiro avaliador. Resultados: 73,3% dos indivíduos apresentaram o posicionamento da escápula considerado dentro da normalidade. A confiabilidade interavaliador e a confiabilidade do exame clínico em relação à radiografia foram considerados baixa e muito baixa respectivamente. Conclusão: a reprodutibilidade da avaliação realizada por Burkhart foi considerada de satisfatória a boa, enquanto que a reprodutibilidade inter-avaliador do exame clínico estático e a reprodutibilidade do exame clínico com a radiografia foram consideradas de pobres a satisfatórias. Nível de Evidência III, Estudo de Pacientes não Consecutivos.

Objective: Evaluate the static positioning of the scapula on the rib cage in healthy subjects by means of clinical and radiographic evaluation to assess interexaminer reliability of clinical examination and verify the reliability of this evaluation method compared to the radiographic examination. Methods: we selected 30 adult individuals of both sexes with no diagnosis of shoulder pathology. The static clinical examination, following the protocol suggested by Burkhart et al, was performed repeatedly by two independent examiners, followed by the radiographic examination, which was later examined by the first evaluator. Results: 73.3% of the subjects showed positioning of the scapula considered normal. The interexaminer reliability and that of the clinical examination in relation to radiography were considered low and very low, respectively. Conclusion: The reproducibility of the evaluation performed by Burkhart was considered satisfactory to good, while the interexaminer reproducibility of the clinical examination and the static reproducibility of the clinical examination with radiography were considered poor to satisfactory. Level of Evidence III, Study of Nonconsecutive Patientes.

Craniofacial and shoulder asymmetry and its relationship to temporomandibular disorder: A study of 183 patients.

We conducted a prospective study to ascertain the prevalence of features of craniofacial and shoulder asymmetry and to determine if they are related to temporomandibular disorder (TMD). Our study population was made up of 183 patients-105 females and 78 males, aged 8 to 92 years (mean: 53.5; median: 60) who presented to a private otolaryngologic practice in a rural retirement community in Arizona. These patients completed a questionnaire to determine their self-assessment of the their body asymmetry. Next, all patients underwent a nurse evaluation for the presence or absence of asymmetry, which was based on the relative position of the ears, lateral canthi, hemimandibles, and shoulders. All patients were then evaluated independently by a physician for the presence or absence of TMD. The most important finding of this study was that asymmetry as determined by the nurse evaluation was associated with a relative risk of TMD of 5.89 (p = 0.0001); the perception of asymmetry on the patient self-assessments was associated with a relative risk of only 1.86 (p = 0.0026). We conclude that the recognition and diagnosis of TMD is significantly enhanced by a brief evaluation by a health professional who has been trained in recognizing the signs of facial and shoulder asymmetry.