Published in:
01-10-2009 | Original Article
Normal glenoid rim anatomy and the reliability of shoulder instability measurements based on intrasite correlation
Published in: Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy | Issue 8/2009
Login to get accessAbstract
Purpose
To evaluate the glenoid shape and to evaluate if the contralateral glenoid can be used as size reference.
Methods
Two independent investigators prospectively analysed shoulder computer-tomographies of 90 patients. The glenoids were positioned in a true “en face” view and evaluated for size and shape. The intraindividual correlation of these parameters between left and right side were assessed.
Results
In the 90 computer tomographically evaluated shoulder pairs a significant intraindividual correlation of size and shape was seen (P < 0.001). The intraindividual difference in glenoid surface area averaged 1.8% of the total glenoid surface. The shape of the inferior hemisphere correlated 100%. We found all the inferior glenoids to be circular.
Conclusion
Our study clearly shows that the inferior glenoid in healthy individuals has the shape of a circle. The high side-to-side correlation of the glenoid surface area can be applied when measuring bony defects by evaluation of the contralateral side.