Pull the strings!

May 18, 2009 9:33 AM

I'm looking for a free or very cheap 3-d model of the shoulder joint. Online or for real.

I fucked up my shoulder and I've been doing a lot of reading but I just can't really put a good picture of how all the parts work and move. I'm terrible at spatial thinking and I just can't really get anything useful out of 2-d diagrams and descriptions. Googling I found software and real plastic models for sale, but I'm not really gonna drop hundreds on something and then have this weird plastic thing sitting around the apartment. Is there a way I can poke and prod virtually? ...Or, if you know of a spectacular text description that would enlighten me where others have failed, I'd appreciate that too. I'm just interested in seeing how the scapula and other shits move around when you move your arm in different directions, and what tendons go where.

posted by creasy boy to health & fitness (8 comments total)

First hit on google looks promising. Supposed to be free.
posted by kisch mokusch at 9:38 AM on May 18

Huh...didn't see that one. It looks pretty awesome so far, but I'm not sure if it shows how things move.
posted by creasy boy at 10:28 AM on May 18

No, it doesn't show things moving. Maybe what I want is just too sophisticated.
posted by creasy boy at 10:37 AM on May 18

Talk to a doctor at a teaching hospital. Ask if he or she has a model of a shoulder joint that they could bring to the appointment.

Check this page out -- I did a search for "intra-articular" and came across that page where you'll also find other anatomical descriptions for parts of the shoulder and that page has lots of info and pictures.
posted by amanda at 11:07 AM on May 18

When I was taking anatomy class and had trouble visualizing those things, I bought a 3-for-99-cents pack of mini jars of play-doh, and tried to build the things myself from the descriptions and pictures in the book and online. Figuring out why my model didn't match the 2-D pictures helped me refine it and discover what the 3-D structure was actually like. It's probably easier to buy a premade model, but having to figure it out somewhat on my own helped me understand (and remember!) it better. Using the clay made it so I didn't have to visualize it and try to remember all the details, because they were right there in front of me for editing as I realized what wasn't right. (If you're willing to spend more than a buck, some stiffer modeling clay might work better than the play-doh.)
posted by vytae at 2:41 PM on May 18

Yeah, the teaching hospital thing would be a good idea, except that my medical problem has pretty much resolved itself and I'd feel bad making an appointment. It also occurs to me that what I want might be too complicated to even be buildable in the first place...what I'd like is a model of the bones, with strings attached at the various points representing the muscles, so I could see what moves the scapula when it sticks way out with my arm behind my back and what muscles are stretched by it. I have years of terrible upper back tension I'm trying to work out and my right shoulder blade refuses to stick out properly. ...But I'm done talking to doctors and working with physiotherapy now.

There's no way I'll be able to build anything that complicated myself with clay either.

Anyway thank you everyone for your effort, I appreciate it.
posted by creasy boy at 11:40 PM on May 18

Well, here's something that I found googling "glenohumeral joint movie" -- the quicktime movies are annoyingly small but watching all of them may give you a better idea. This site gives you a free trial to look at one topic -- perhaps the shoulder one will clear it up for you. There's also a couple good diagrams here.

The physical 3d models are really great, though. I've seen one with a full range of motion that also comes apart and is color-coded to differentiate one part from another. But, without a pro describing what the parts are and how they work together, you wouldn't get the whole idea.

Sounds like you have arranged for some physical therapy? I think that's the best idea and if you are seeing a professional for this, ask if they have a model or know of someone who does. But, definitely get your shoulder taken care of. I've come to understand that our joints are really awesome devices but they are sort of one-time use so take good care of your shoulders, knees, ankles and hips!
posted by amanda at 12:56 AM on May 19

Hmm...still doesn't really help me. What I can't figure out is -- there are six things the scapula can do: retraction, protraction, elevation, depression, outward rotation and inward rotation -- and I can't figure out what these things are. When I move my arm behind my back and the blade sticks out, for example, is that retraction? Or rotation? I probably should've made that my AskMe question.

Anyway, my right shoulder won't move back properly, and the physio said my right shoulder blade doesn't come out far enough. And so I've been stretching hell out of my shoulders and doing "scapula pushups" trying to get the right one to go back, and I guess I overdid it because now I've got a pain on my left side, maybe serratus anterior or major rhomboid, which I really hope is just muscle soreness and not anything serious. Meanwhile my theory is that maybe my rhomboids are tight and are restricting scapular motion...these are the things I'm trying to figure out. I feel like if I could just see everything in real space I would understand. I'm paying for physio on my own and I can only afford a half-hour every other week, really. I'm seeing her next week. Anyway, thank you again for your effort.
posted by creasy boy at 4:59 AM on May 19