Effects of menopause and sex on shoulder complex tissue elasticity and pain-related outcomes

Menopause is associated with substantial hormonal changes that impact musculoskeletal health, with menopausal females experiencing a high prevalence of shoulder pain and dysfunction. This study examined the effects of sex, menopause status, and pain-related disability on passive musculoskeletal tissue elasticity and mechanical pain sensitivity in the shoulder joint complex. Forty-six adults (92 shoulders) underwent bilateral ultrasound shear wave elastography imaging to quantify elasticity in the upper trapezius (UT2, UT3), supraspinatus (SUP), lateral deltoid (LD), coracoacromial ligament (CAL), and coracohumeral ligament (CHL), alongside Pain Pressure Threshold (PPT) assessments of UT2 and LD to measure pain sensitivity. Participants also completed the Neck Disability Index (NDI) and Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI). While sex did not meaningfully affect PPT or SWV across most tissues, females did demonstrate significantly lower SWV in SUP compared to males. Post-menopausal females exhibited higher SWV values than pre-menopausal females across all tissues, with differences ranging from 6.8-22.0%, although these differences did not reach statistical significance. Post-menopausal females also showed higher PPT values, indicating lower mechanical pain sensitivity, with a significant difference observed in the LD. Higher NDI scores were associated with increased SWV in UT3 and CAL but decreased SWV in UT2. Higher SPADI scores were associated with reduced CAL SWV. Significant interactions indicated that females with higher SPADI scores and post-menopausal females with higher NDI scores demonstrated increased mechanical pain sensitivity. These findings suggest that menopause-related changes in musculoskeletal tissue elasticity, alongside altered pain processing, may contribute to shoulder pain and dysfunction. Integrating SWE and PPT with self-reported outcomes provides a more comprehensive understanding of musculoskeletal adaptations associated with menopause.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Kinesiology

Grantor

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2025

Author dc:creator

• Hutzelmann, Denali

Contributors dc:contributor

• Leonardis, Joshua M
• Rice, Laura A

• Menopause
• Shear Wave Elastography
• Muscle
• Biomechanics

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2025 Denali Hutzelmann

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/132588

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/132588